Search warrant leads to shots fired in North Manchester

A Fort Wayne man was seriously injured after an hourslong standoff turned to a shootout with police Tuesday afternoon at a North Manchester home. Troopers involved in the shooting are to be placed on administrative duties, pending the outcome of an investigation.

The Indiana State Police SWAT team was requested Tuesday to assist in executing a search and arrest warrant at a residence near Wayne Street and State Road 13 in North Manchester. These warrants resulted from an investigation led by the Fort Wayne Police Department.

Just after 3:30 p.m., the Indiana State Police SWAT team arrived at the residence and began making announcements for the occupants to exit the house. The individuals inside failed to comply with the announcements. 

The SWAT team continued to employ various tactics in an attempt to get the occupants to exit the residence. During this time, one male exited the house and was taken into custody, but other individuals remained inside and refused to exit.

The SWAT team attempted to make entry, but shots were fired from inside the residence, forcing them to move back from the immediate area. At that time, a female exited the residence and was taken into custody. Jacob S. Slocum, 37, of Fort Wayne, remained inside. Slocum had an active felony warrant out of Allen County and was also wanted for questioning on an unrelated incident.

ISP negotiators were able to establish communication with Slocum and communicated with him for several hours in an attempt to get him to safely exit the residence. Despite their efforts, the communication was unsuccessful. ISP SWAT then utilized various tactics to locate Slocum inside the residence, where he was found armed with a firearm.

Slocum discharged his firearm in the direction of the troopers. In response, ISP SWAT members discharged their weapons. During the exchange, Slocum sustained injury.

Life-saving measures were immediately initiated, and Slocum was transported by medical helicopter to an area hospital with serious injuries.

No officers were injured in the incident. The trooper(s) involved in the shooting will be placed on administrative duties pending the outcome of the investigation. This is standard procedure for the Indiana State Police when an officer is involved in a shooting.

Upon completion of the investigation, the findings will be submitted to the Wabash County Prosecutor’s Office for review.

The Indiana State Police was assisted by the Wabash County Sheriff’s Office, Wabash City Police Department, North Manchester Police Department, Wabash Fire Department, North Manchester Fire Department, Wabash County Prosecutors Office and Samaritan Air.