The man killed in an officer-involved shooting, earlier this week, in South Bend has been identified.

South Bend Police officers were called to East Race and LaSalle around 6:40 a.m. on Tuesday, June 11, after reports of a man threatening another person with a knife.

During their encounter, one officer tried to use a taser to subdue John Charles Neiswender, 69, but it failed.

Another officer then shot him.

Neiswender died at the hospital.

The Sheriff’s Office says there’s no timetable as far as when their investigation into the matter will be completed.

Statement issued by South Bend Mayor James Mueller:

My heart goes out to John Neiswender’s family and loved ones as we mourn this tragic loss in our community. My thoughts and prayers are also with our first responders and their families, as well as other members of our City team and neighbors who experienced this traumatizing event.

We are committed to a full, transparent investigation and any needed improvements to our emergency response going forward, and I ask for the community’s patience as we wait for more information from Sheriff Redman and his investigation team.

Statement issued by St. Joseph County Sheriff Bill Redman/St. Joseph County Police:

The deceased has been identified as John Charles Neiswender, age 69 of South Bend. Investigators
have located and met with Mr. Neiswender’s family members to inform them of his death.

Sheriff Bill Redman states, “I want to first thank the public and media for their patience as our
County and Mishawaka investigators gather all evidence, wait for autopsy, toxicology, and
ballistics test results and reports, and finalize their own reports for the County Prosecutor’s Office.”
Redman continues, “we understand the public desire to have information and answers. However,
to maintain the integrity of the investigation and ensure only fully accurate and proven facts are
publicly released, we will not release specific details about the actions of the officers or the suspect
until the investigation is complete and has been reviewed by the County Prosecutor’s Office.

Sheriff closes stating, “we cannot provide an estimated timeline for how long the investigative
process may require. There will be a full release to the media and public of all legally releasable
information and evidence, including audio of dispatch calls, police radio traffic, and all body
camera and other video at the appropriate time following the investigation.”