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Christifer DeBus
Gender : Male
Age : 38
Race : White
Date : 04/20/2025
Location : Unknown
City : Columbia City
County : Whitley
State : Indiana
Agency : Indiana State Police, Fort Wayne Police Department, Allen County Sheriff's
Cause of Death : Suicide
Event : Suicide under police duress
OPEN RECORDS SUMMARY :
On 04/20/2025, Christifer DeBus led police on a multi-county chase after police identified him as a homicide suspect in the killing of Jeremiah Lothamer. Officers from multiple agencies joined the pursuit as it continued into Columbia City. Indiana State Police used a PIT maneuver to stop the vehicle. Police said DeBus fired shots after the vehicle stopped and officers from several agencies opened fire. Authorities later determined DeBus died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound. In May 2026, the Whitley County Coroner’s Office officially ruled the manner of death a suicide.
SOURCE LINKS :
https://www.journalgazette.net/local/police-fire/fort-wayne-man-died-of-suicide-after-police-chase-ended-in-gunfire/article_8ad42a0d-071f-44b4-80c8-63fde2580b04.html
https://www.21alivenews.com/2026/05/04/whitley-county-coroner-rules-homicide-suspect-involved-2025-pursuit-shootout-with-police-died-by-suicide/
https://wowo.com/man-killed-in-whitley-county-police-pursuit-ruled-suicide-indiana-state-police-say/
