Published: May 10, 2009 08:27 pm      

Man dies in LaGrange shooting

Two wounded in dispute over drugs, police say.

THE GOSHEN NEWS



A 24-year-old Angola man was killed and a 26-year-old Angola man injured in a drug-related shooting Saturday afternoon in LaGrange.

According to the LaGrange County Sheriffs Department, the incident was originally reported as a home invasion and the homeowner provided police with information regarding two Angola men who came to his residence to rob him.

During the investigation, police reportedly learned the incident started in Steuben County where the two men confronted the 25-year-old LaGrange resident over a theft of a large amount of marijuana.

The two men allegedly took the LaGrange resident to an undisclosed place west of Angola and beat him while threatening him with a gun and knife.

The victim reportedly received bodily injury to his head, face and body.

The LaGrange resident then reportedly agreed to take the two men to his residence in LaGrange to return the marijuana.

Upon entering his residence, the LaGrange man reportedly fought with one of the suspects and broke away, then retrieved a semi automatic pistol and ordered the suspects from his home.

Police indicated that the two men continued to advance in a threatening manner and the LaGrange man shot both of them.

The 24-year-old was pronounced dead at Parkview-LaGrange Hospital from gunshot wounds sustained in the incident.

The 26-year-old was air-lifted to Parkview-Fort Wayne Hospital for treatment of gunshot wounds.

Assisting the LaGrange County Sheriffs Department at the scene were the Indiana State Police and Crime Scene Unit, the Northeast Indiana Swat Team, the LaGrange Police Department, the Department of Natural Resources, the LaGrange Fire Department, Parkview medics and first responders, and other officers from surrounding counties.