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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.<\/p>\n
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Date of incident<\/strong>: May 18, 2026<\/p>\n
Location<\/strong>: 1800 block of Howell Street, Fort Wayne, Indiana<\/p>\n
Time<\/strong>: 1414 hours<\/p>\n
Involved FWPD Officers<\/strong> (listed in order of commission date):<\/p>\n
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- FWPD Sergeant Michael Bell, Commission Date: October 26, 2007<\/li>\n
- FWPD Officer James Arnold, Commission Date: October 26, 2007<\/li>\n
- FWPD Sergeant Arrand Johnston, Commission Date: August 27, 2010<\/li>\n
- FWPD Sergeant Cameron Norris, Commission Date: August 27, 2010<\/li>\n
- FWPD Officer Joshua Alexander, Commission Date: June 28, 2019<\/li>\n
- FWPD Officer Wyatt Short, Commission Date: July 10, 2020<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Fort Wayne Police Department incident Report Details\/Summary<\/strong>:<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
The weapon Anderson pointed toward officers was later determined to be a BB gun.<\/p>\n
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\u2019s Office will review the evidence and determine whether any criminal liability exists and whether the officers\u2019 use of force was legally justified.<\/p>\n
The below video is a Critical Incident Video Brief of the Officer Involved Shooting.<\/p>\n
Watch here:
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