FWPD Chief Caudill: Violence will not be tolerated

UPDATE (July 8, 2025):

The Chief of the Fort Wayne Police Department (FWPD) is calling on the community, specifically parents and caregivers, to be more involved in guiding our young people away from violence. It follows a weekend shooting that left a 16-year-old boy dead and three other teens hurt.

Chief Scott Caudill says it is part of a concerning trend of gun violence involving youth.

“Fort Wayne is not a place where violence will be tolerated,” Caudill said. “We are committed to ensuring our city is safe, and we take incidents involving our youth, especially those involving our youth, very seriously.”

The following was released on Monday:

On July 5, 2025, shortly after midnight, our officers responded to a shooting near Harrison and Pearl Streets in downtown Fort Wayne. Regrettably, one 16-year-old teenager lost his life, and three other teens — all between the ages of 15 and 18 — sustained non-fatal injuries. Two have since been treated and released; one remains hospitalized in stable condition. The Fort Wayne Police Department had numerous extra officers deployed to the downtown area due to the holiday events, and the first FWPD officer arrived on scene 1 minute and 27 seconds from the initial 911 call.

Our Homicide Task Force was activated and worked nonstop to identify and apprehend two suspects swiftly, with the assistance of the Allen County Prosecutors’ Office and the Allen County Coroner’s Office. A 16-year-old juvenile was arrested and charged with murder, attempted murder, criminal recklessness with a deadly weapon, and unlawful possession of a firearm. An 18-year-old male, Ni’Shawn Jackson, was taken into custody and faces charges including attempted murder and criminal recklessness with a deadly weapon. Service of a search warrant led to the seizure of additional firearms.

We understand the grief and concern this tragedy has caused in our community, particularly among parents, teens, and downtown businesses. Let me be clear: Fort Wayne is not a place where violence will be tolerated. We are committed to ensuring our city is safe, and we take incidents involving our youth, especially those involving our youth, very seriously.

This incident is part of a concerning trend of gun violence involving our youth, with the Allen County Coroner reporting 19 homicides this year in the city of Fort Wayne.

Several of the cases involved juveniles or young adults who were either victims or perpetrators. The Fort Wayne Police Department’s Homicide clearance rate for 2025 stands at 100 percent. This is significantly higher than the current national average of approximately 58 percent.

We are committed to addressing this issue through rigorous investigation, community engagement, and collaboration with local leaders. I echo Mayor Sharon Tucker’s call for parents and caregivers to actively guide our young people toward positive activities and away from violence, and to be knowledgeable about what their children are doing and where they are.

To that end:

• We will continue to collaborate with parents, schools, and community organizations to provide positive outlets and greater supervision for our young people.

• Our Downtown Patrol District has had additional officers assigned this summer, and we will maintain a strong presence to deter violent behavior and support business owners, along with adding additional special enforcement details. Staffing levels will be maintained to ensure continuous police coverage in all areas of the city.

• We are pursuing every available lead as the investigation continues into this incident and ask anyone with information to contact Crime Stoppers at 436 7867, the FWPD tip line at 427 1201, or submit anonymously via the P3 Tips app.

Our work does not stop here. We will bring justice to the victims and work tirelessly to prevent future tragedies. We urge all residents to look out for one another and to report any suspicious activity—your partnership is vital to public safety.

Chief Scott Caudill

Fort Wayne Police Department

ORIGINAL STORY:

FORT WAYNE, Ind. (ADAMS) – Two people, a 16-year-old and an 18-year-old, have been arrested in connection with a downtown Fort Wayne shooting just after midnight on Friday near Harrison St. and Pearl St. One teen died, and three others were hurt.

The Fort Wayne Police Department (FWPD) says that an unidentified juvenile and 18-year-old Ni’Shawn Jackson are now facing several charges. The 16-year-old is facing the most serious murder charge for the death of another teenager.

The incident is actively under investigation by the Fort Wayne Homicide Unit, in conjunction with the Allen County Prosecutors Office and the Allen County Coroner’s Office.

The FWPD initially released the following:

On Saturday, July 5th just after midnight officers were dispatched to the area of Harrison and Pearl on a “Problem Unknown”. When officers arrived they found 3 individuals suffering apparent gunshot wounds. Officers began life saving measures on a juvenile victim unti medics arrived.

All 3 were transported to a local hospital, 2 in stable condition and the 3rd in life threatening condition. During this, a 4th victim walked into the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. All 4 victims are between the ages of 15 and 18.

This incident remains under nvestigation with the Fort Wayne Police Department, and the Allen County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office. Anyone with information about the shooting is asked to contact the Fort Wayne Police Department at 427 -1201, Crime Stoppers at 436 -7867, or use the free “P3 Tips” app.
K9 Officer D. Nerzig Fort Wayne Police Department.

Later on Saturday, the FWPD said the teen listed in critical condition had died at the hospital.

Also on Saturday, Mayor Sharon Tucker put out a statement denouncing the violence and calling for peace in the community:

Mayor Sharon Tucker and Police Chief Scott Caudill have been in constant communication following the violence overnight in our downtown.

It’s imperative for our young people to be respectful of one another. The type of behavior by a few in our community will not be tolerated. We need parents and caregivers to know where their children are and come alongside us to ensure youth are engaging in positive activities.

We want our downtown to be safe and enjoyable and for our business owners to not have to deal with these senseless actions that can have a negative impact.

Residents, businesses, and visitors can be assured that we’re doing everything possible to keep our downtown and entire city safe and secure for all.

News of the arrests came on Sunday. The FWPD put out the following:

On 7/5/2025 at 0011 hours, the Fort Wayne Police Department responded to a shooting investigation in the area of S. Harrison Street and Pearl Street. In summary, four total subjects involved in the altercation sustained gunshot wound(s).

One of the victims later succumbed to his injuries at a local hospital. The remaining three victims were treated for their injuries and later medically discharged. The Fort Wayne Homicide Unit was paged out to conduct the criminal investigation. Homicide Detectives conducted an exhaustive investigation and were able to identify all the subjects involved. The Homicide Task Force was initiated and multiple search and arrest warrants were executed. A 16yo male juvenile was taken into custody without incident in the 3300 block of Webster Street. He is charged with Murder, Attempted Murder, Criminal Recklessness with a Deadly Weapon and Unlawful Possession of a Firearm.

A second subject was arrested in the 1200 block of Oakland Street without incident. He is identified as 18yo Ni’Shawn Jackson and he faces criminal charges of Attempted Murder and Criminal Recklessness with a Deadly Weapon. A third search warrant was executed in the 1900 block of Woodhaven Drive, where multiple firearms were recovered. The incident is actively under investigation by the Fort Wayne Homicide Unit, in conjunction with the Allen County Prosecutors Office and the Allen County Coroners Office.

Suspect Arrested: Preliminary Charges:
Suspect Arrested: Preliminary Charges:
16yo, Male, Juvenile
Murder, Attempted Murder, Criminal Recklessness w/ Deadly Weapon and Unlawful Possession of Firearm
18yo Ni’Shawn Jackson
Attempted Murder and Criminal Recklessness w/ Deadly Weapon

FWPD Chief Caudill: Violence will not be tolerated

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