Indiana
Suspect killed in Indiana grocery store shooting moved from Chicago area within the past year

The gunman who killed two people at a northern Indiana grocery store before he was shot and killed by police previously lived in Illinois, according to authorities.
Juan Sanchez, 54, opened fire inside a Martin’s Super Markets location on Monday evening in Elkhart, killing a 19-year-old cashier, Annasue Rocha, and a second person, 49-year-old Benjamin Jeffrey. Sanchez moved to the Elkhart area in April 2024 and previously lived in Plano, Illinois, Elkhart County Prosecutor Vicki Becker said.
Becker revealed new details about what occurred in the minutes prior to the deadly shooting at a news conference on Friday. Sanchez was apparently targeting young women and was clearly “looking for a victim,” WNDU, the NBC affiliate in South Bend, reported.
Sanchez loaded his cart with alcoholic beverages and went to the self-checkout area, where Rocha was working at the time. Because he was purchasing alcohol, Rocha went to check his ID, collected it and brought the ID back to her cash register. She then returned the ID, at which point Sanchez displayed a handgun and grabbed her wrist.
A customer who saw what was happening informed a manager who confronted Sanchez, according to the prosecutor. As the manager tried to deescalate the situation, Sanchez said “she needs to listen to me or I will kill her.”
Sanchez then raised the gun and opened fire, shooting Rocha, prosecutors said.
After Rocha was shot, the manager called out for everyone to run and ushered others to safety. Sanchez then fired in the direction of the exit and toward people running the back of the store. One of those individuals, Jeffrey, was shot, authorities said.
After shooting Jeffrey, Sanchez pushed his cart toward the exit and shot Rocha additional times, according to prosecutors. Sanchez was fatally shot by police after exiting the grocery store.
Other incidents of suspicious behavior involving Sanchez and young women have been reported to authorities since Monday, prosecutors said.
In each case, the person in question avoided further contact with Sanchez, Becker said.
One woman reported she obtained a protective order in Illinois against Sanchez – almost three years ago. Although a police report was filed, no further documentation has been found demonstrating additional formal action on that report, Becker stated.
No complaints had been made to law enforcement in Elkhart County since his move to the area in 2024, authorities said.

Indiana
Indiana Township Association concerned with bill to dissolve townships

FISHERS, Ind. (WISH) — The Indiana Township Association is against efforts to dissolve all Indiana townships.
Debbie Driskell, the executive director of the Indiana Township Association, said efforts to take away township governments will harm Hoosiers by taking away services.
“You’re removing those that were elected further from the people,” Driskell said. “So, that’s actually diminishing democracy.”
Driskell said townships have been around for centuries to protect the poor and public safety.
“Originally, township trustees were called overseers of the poor in Indiana, and we did just that,” Driskell said. “Took care of the poor, and then over time, we evolved, and now, we offer life-saving services in fire protection and EMS services.”
Townships can offer rental and mortgage assistance to residents and provide services for the homeless.
“It’s the trustee that gets our homeless folks off the street and sheltered,” Driskell said. “But, at any rate, a family can come in and make an application to have help with their rent.”
Driskell said this bill does not say which agency, if any, would be responsible for those services. The county emergency management director would manage fire and EMS services.
“That’s a big job to lay on top of a department that is already charged with some pretty important duties,” Driskell said.
Driskell said fire and EMS consolidation can be more expensive in the long run despite the effort to make government more efficient.
The bill was referred to the Committee of Local Government. It has not been heard yet.
Previous coverage
Indiana
Pacers Notes: Luka Doncic Lakers Debut, Indiana Rival Makes Massive Trade, More

All eyes in the NBA has been on the Luka Doncic-Anthony Davis trade, sending Doncic to the Los Angeles Lakers and Davis to the Dallas Mavericks. Now, fans have one question: who will be Doncic’s first opponent as a Lakers? Well, it looks like the answer is the Indiana Pacers.
According to a recent report, there is “optimism” that Doncic will debut in the purple and gold this Saturday against the Pacers. This will be the first time the Lakers and Pacers face off this season.
Additionally, an Eastern Conference rival has pulled off a massive move ahead of the trade deadline, sending away a former NBA Champion, multi-time All-Star, and Olympic gold medalist.
Here are some stories about the Indiana Pacers that will help you get all caught up. Click the title to see the entire story:
‘Optimism’ Luka Doncic Could Play First Lakers Game vs Pacers
Pacers Rival Pulls Off Huge Trade Ahead of Deadline
Pacers Star Named East Defensive Player of the Month
Pacers May Be Forced to Do Something For First Time In Over 20 Years
Pacers Being Linked to $94M Forward Again Before Trade Deadline
Pacers Forward Could Be Odd Man Out Heading Into Trade Deadline
Indiana
Trump signs transgender sports ban. Indiana lawmaker is there for it

Trump thanks Sage Steele while banning trans women from team sports
President Donald Trump signed an executive order Wednesday prohibiting transgender women and girls from competing in female sports. The measure, called the “No Men in Women’s Sports Executive Order,” is the fourth executive order targeting transgender people the president has signed since taking office Jan. 20.
President Donald Trump signed an executive order Wednesday that seeks to keep transgender women and girls from competing in school and college-level sports around the country.
Among those who joined Trump in the East Room of the White House for the signing was Indiana state Rep. Michelle Davis, a Whiteland Republican who authored a state bill banning transgender girls from youth sports.
In addition, the president thanked Sage Steele, an Indiana University graduate and former ESPN sportscaster for her support on the issue.
Under Trump’s order, federal officials could withhold funding from schools that allow transgender athletes in women’s sports and block transgender athletes from entering the United States for the 2028 Olympics.
“It’s an honor to join President Trump in protecting the integrity of women’s sports,” Davis said in a statement. “As a former athlete and mother, I know firsthand the dedication and sacrifices female athletes make to compete at the highest levels. I have fought for these protections in Indiana and am grateful for the leadership of President Trump at the federal level to ensure a level playing field for women and girls competing in sports across the country.”
Female athletes also attended the ceremony.
Davis was invited because of her past legislative actions, according to a news release. Her 2022 bill saw protests, legal challenges and a veto from then-Gov. Eric Holcomb that was later overturned by the Indiana General Assembly.
This year, Davis filed new legislation, House Bill 1041, that seeks to expand Indiana’s ban to college sports.
She was first elected to the Indiana House in 2020 and represents portions of Johnson County.
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USA TODAY contributed to this story.
Contact IndyStar state government and politics reporter Brittany Carloni at brittany.carloni@indystar.com or 317-779-4468. Follow her on Twitter/X@CarloniBrittany.
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