On May 18, 2026, Fort Wayne Police Department officers responded to a residence in the 1800 block of Howell Street regarding Erik John Anderson, who was reportedly experiencing a mental health crisis and armed with a rifle.
Date of incident: May 18, 2026
Location: 1800 block of Howell Street, Fort Wayne, Indiana
Time: 1414 hours
Involved FWPD Officers (listed in order of commission date):
- FWPD Sergeant Michael Bell, Commission Date: October 26, 2007
- FWPD Officer James Arnold, Commission Date: October 26, 2007
- FWPD Sergeant Arrand Johnston, Commission Date: August 27, 2010
- FWPD Sergeant Cameron Norris, Commission Date: August 27, 2010
- FWPD Officer Joshua Alexander, Commission Date: June 28, 2019
- FWPD Officer Wyatt Short, Commission Date: July 10, 2020
Fort Wayne Police Department incident Report Details/Summary:
The Fort Wayne Police Department recognizes that officer-involved shootings raise significant questions and concerns within our community. When circumstances allow, the department releases critical incident briefing videos to provide additional context, address common questions, and promote transparency.
On May 18, 2026, Fort Wayne Police Department officers responded to a residence in the 1800 block of Howell Street regarding Erik John Anderson, who was reportedly experiencing a mental health crisis and armed with a rifle. This was the third call involving Anderson under similar circumstances at the residence within a two-day period.
The Crisis Response Team and Emergency Services Team responded to the scene and spent approximately three hours attempting to establish communication with Anderson and peacefully resolve the situation. Anderson then extended what appeared to be a rifle through the doorway and pointed it toward officers. Believing they were about to be fired upon, FWPD officers discharged their weapons, striking Anderson. Paramedics pronounced him deceased at the scene.
The weapon Anderson pointed toward officers was later determined to be a BB gun.
The Fort Wayne Police Department and Indiana State Police are conducting investigations into the incident. Upon completion of those investigations, the Allen County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office will review the evidence and determine whether any criminal liability exists and whether the officers’ use of force was legally justified.
The below video is a Critical Incident Video Brief of the Officer Involved Shooting.
Watch here:
Download the FWPD news release.
Read more posts on the 2026 12th Allen County Homicide or visit the 2026 Allen County Homicides index page.
All criminal defendants are to be presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
All information is preliminary and subject to change during the course of the investigation.
Investigators are asking anyone with information about the shooting to contact the Fort Wayne Police Department at 427-1201, Crime Stoppers at 436-7867, or use the free “P3 Tips” app.
Related Images:
