ELKHART COUNTY- On July 6, 2024, Elkhart County Sheriff’s Office officers responded to a residence in the 57000 block of Pendleton Drive in Elkhart County to conduct a welfare check on an adult male and his two children. Deputies arrived at the residence at approximately 9:06 p.m. but could not contact the male. Deputies learned that the male was at the residence and was armed and threatened to harm his children and law enforcement.
The Elkhart County Regional SWAT Team responded at approximately 12:09 a.m. on July 7, 2024, to secure the scene and attempt to contact the male. The male refused to exit the home and discharged a firearm before barricading himself in the home. This incident ultimately continued into the day, and the Indiana State Police Emergency Response Team was requested to assist the Elkhart County Regional Swat Team. The Indiana State Police Emergency Response Team then took over duties this morning.
Many attempts were made throughout the morning and into the afternoon hours to contact the male with little success. At approximately 3:30 p.m., the Indiana State Police Emergency Response Team entered the home and took the male suspect, Ryan Snyder, 37, into custody. A two-year-old male child was discovered deceased in the home. A four-year-old female child was also located. She was treated at the scene and released to a relative.
Snyder was taken to a local hospital to be checked out and then incarcerated at the Elkhart County Jail. Detectives with the Indiana State Police and the Elkhart County Homicide Unit are investigating this case. The Elkhart County Prosecutor’s Office will review this case and determine charges against Snyder.
