Deadly Confrontation in South Bend: Man Killed During SWAT Team Encounter

A deadly confrontation unfolded in South Bend, Indiana on Wednesday afternoon when a man was found dead from gunshot injuries following a special weapons and tactics team standoff. According to an Indiana State Police news release issued Wednesday night, the incident began around 1:15 p.m. when officers attempted to serve a search warrant related to a drug investigation at a home in the 1600 block of Eldora Court.Justin Hufkens, 35, was outside the home when he fled on foot about half a block before entering the house. From inside the house, he fired multiple shots at SWAT team members, who returned fire. As Hufkens barricaded himself inside the home, negotiators made contact with him several times, but eventually lost communication after hearing gunfire from within the house.About 3:30 p.m., SWAT team members entered the house and found Hufkens dead from suspected gunfire. An autopsy will determine the cause of death. The Indiana State Police were assisted at the scene by the South Bend Police Department, the South Bend SWAT Team, the St. Joseph County Police Department, and the Indiana University South Bend Police Department.The St. Joseph County Prosecutor's Office will review the investigation once it's completed.