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Justin Hufkens

Gender : Male

Age : 35

Race : White

Date : 07/30/2025

Location : Eldora Court near Lincoln Way East and Twyckenham Drive

City : South Bend

County : St. Joseph

State : Indiana

Agency : Indiana State Police SWAT, South Bend Police Department, St. Joseph County Police Department, Indiana University South Bend Police Department

Officer(s) :Not Disclosed

Cause of Death : Suicide

Event : Suicide under police duress

OPEN RECORDS SUMMARY :

On July 30, 2025, Indiana State Police SWAT, together with South Bend, St. Joseph County, and Indiana University South Bend police officers, executed a drug-related search warrant at a residence on Eldora Court. The subject, Justin Hufkens, initially fled but re-entered the home, leading officers to surround the structure. Hufkens then opened fire on officers, prompting return fire. Over the course of two hours, SWAT utilized an armored vehicle with a battering-ram attachment, which was used to breach doors and windows. Smoke and flash effects were reported by nearby residents during the breach. The surrounding area—including Lincoln Way East—was shut down, residences were cordoned off, and residents were physically pushed back from the perimeter for safety. Hufkens continued to fire from within the home. At approximately 3:30 p.m., officers heard a single gunshot from inside. After breaching the structure, SWAT found Hufkens dead from an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound, concluding he died by suicide during the standoff under police duress.

SOURCE LINKS :

https://www.southbendtribune.com/story/news/crime/2025/07/30/suspect-dead-after-swat-police-standoff-in-south-bend/85447007007/
https://www.wishtv.com/news/indiana-news/man-dead-after-shootout-with-swat-team-in-south-bend/
https://www.wndu.com/2025/07/30/swat-standoff-draws-heavy-police-presence-south-bends-east-side/
https://www.wbiw.com/2025/07/31/suspect-found-with-gunshot-wound-after-swat-standoff-in-south-bend/
https://abc57.com/news/suspect-dead-after-search-warrant-turns-into-swat-standoff-in-south-bend
https://wsbt.com/news/local/breaking-lincoln-way-is-closed-between-twyckenham-titan-drives-indiana-state-police-investigation-south-bend