Indiana State Police Sgt. Justin Heflin Shot; Suspect Kevin Meyers Found Dead
LAPORTE COUNTY, Ind. (Reuters) – A stolen vehicle pursuit ended with an ambush at a US-421 Speedway gas station on Friday, July 10, 2026. An Indiana State Police sergeant was wounded. The suspect, Kevin Meyers, 34, of Michigan City, was found dead.
The incident began around 8:15 a.m. local time. Troopers from multiple districts pursued a stolen vehicle along US-421 near County Road 300 N in rural LaPorte County. Police had prior intelligence suggesting the driver might be armed.
The stolen vehicle stopped at a Speedway gas station on US-421 near Michigan City. As Sgt. Justin Heflin, a 10-year veteran, approached the vehicle, the suspect opened fire. Heflin was struck and airlifted to a South Bend hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.
Returning fire, officers secured the perimeter. Meyers barricaded inside the Speedway store. A standoff with the ISP SWAT team lasted approximately 45 minutes. After failed negotiations, SWAT breached the store. Meyers was found dead from a self-inflicted gunshot wound. No other civilians or officers were injured.
Authorities later identified the suspect as Kevin Meyers, with a prior criminal history including theft and assault. The Speedway was closed for hours as investigators processed the scene.
This incident is distinct from a separate, unrelated case in which a deputy was shot at a Michigan City hospital on May 22, 2026. Indiana State Police emphasized that no connection exists between the two cases. Community members expressed shock but also support for law enforcement.
Sgt. Heflin is expected to make a full recovery. The incident reignited debates about officer safety and stolen vehicle pursuit protocols in rural areas.
💡 Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
- Q: What happened at the US-421 Speedway in Laporte County?
- A: On July 10, 2026, Indiana State Police pursued a stolen vehicle to a Speedway gas station on US-421 near Michigan City. The suspect, Kevin Meyers, ambushed Sgt. Justin Heflin as he approached, wounding him. After a 45-minute standoff, Meyers was found dead from a self-inflicted gunshot wound.
- Q: Who was the suspect in the Michigan City ambush?
- A: The suspect was Kevin Meyers, 34, of Michigan City, Indiana. He had a prior criminal history including theft and assault. He died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound after barricading inside the Speedway.
- Q: What injuries did the Indiana State Trooper sustain?
- A: Sgt. Justin Heflin, a 10-year veteran of the Indiana State Police, was shot but sustained non-life-threatening injuries. He was airlifted to a South Bend hospital for treatment.
- Q: Was this incident related to the May 2026 Michigan City hospital shooting?
- A: No. Authorities confirmed this ambush is distinct and unrelated to a separate incident on May 22, 2026, where a deputy was shot at a Michigan City hospital.
Extended Reading
For further details on the timeline and response, see the following reports:
- ABC7 Chicago: “Indiana State Police Sgt. Justin Heflin shot at gas station on US-421 near Michigan City; suspect Kevin Meyers found dead”
- WNDU: “Suspect found dead after Indiana State Police trooper shot near Michigan City”
- NBC Chicago: “Indiana State Police trooper shot amid pursuit of stolen vehicle, police say”