A man killed in a police-involved shooting in St. John, Indiana, on Wednesday has been identified as 40-year-old Brandon Perkins. The Lake County Sheriff’s Department confirmed his identity following the incident, which occurred around 11:30 a.m. in the 14000 block of West 93rd Place.
Police were dispatched to a residence in the Bramblewood subdivision after receiving a report of a domestic disturbance. Upon arriving, a St. John police officer encountered Perkins, leading to a physical confrontation. During the altercation, shots were fired, leaving Perkins critically wounded. He was transported to a hospital but succumbed to his injuries shortly after.
Witnesses reported seeing Perkins barefoot and dressed in pajamas during the incident. George Jaksich, a local resident, described the scene as chaotic and shocking, noting that such events are uncommon in the typically quiet neighborhood. He observed officers attempting to resuscitate Perkins after the shooting and noted they appeared to kick away dumbbells near Perkins before providing aid.
The Lake County Coroner’s Office later confirmed Perkins’ identity. Authorities have not disclosed the specifics of what led to the confrontation or the actions that prompted the officer to discharge their weapon.
Neighbors in the area recounted hearing gunfire and expressed concerns about the disturbance, which disrupted the community’s sense of security. Jaksich and others described the police response as swift but were left with lingering questions about the circumstances of the encounter.
The investigation remains ongoing as officials work to piece together the sequence of events. Details about the domestic disturbance that led to the police call and the nature of the confrontation are expected to be part of the final report. St. John police and the Lake County Sheriff’s Department have not provided further comment at this time.