Jeremiah Donald Lothamer Obituary, Death: Fort Wayne shooting victim identified after incident leads to police chase and second shooting.
Jeremiah Donald Lothamer Obituary, Death – A deadly shooting incident that took place Sunday evening in Fort Wayne has now been linked to a dramatic police chase and standoff that ended with the death of the suspected gunman in neighboring Whitley County. Authorities have identified the man killed in the initial shooting as 46-year-old Jeremiah Donald Lothamer of Fort Wayne.
The Allen County Coroner’s Office confirmed Lothamer’s identity on Tuesday and stated that he died from multiple gunshot wounds. His death has been ruled a homicide. According to the Fort Wayne Police Department, officers were called to the 1600 block of Hinton Drive, located northwest of downtown Fort Wayne, around 7:30 p.m. on Sunday, where they found Lothamer suffering from serious gunshot wounds. Emergency responders transported him to a nearby hospital, where he later died as a result of his injuries.
Following the shooting, police received information that a suspect had been seen fleeing the area in a vehicle. Officers quickly began searching for the suspect’s car and were able to locate it shortly thereafter. A pursuit began and stretched across county lines.
The police chase lasted for about 20 minutes and passed through western Allen County before entering Whitley County, according to a statement from the Fort Wayne Police Department. The chase came to an end when the suspect’s vehicle crashed near the intersection of State Road 9 and County Road 100 East, just south of Columbia City.
After the crash, the situation escalated quickly. The suspect began firing shots at officers on the scene, prompting law enforcement from multiple agencies to return fire. A tense standoff followed as members of the Fort Wayne Emergency Services Team (EST) and the Crisis Response Team were dispatched to the scene.
Authorities say the standoff was brief, but intense. Once the scene was secured, medics and officers approached the crashed vehicle and discovered that the driver — the sole occupant of the car — had died. No other individuals or vehicles were involved in the final confrontation.
As of now, the identity of the deceased suspect has not been released pending official confirmation and notification of next of kin. The police have not commented on the suspect’s potential motive, nor have they shared whether there was any known relationship between the suspect and the victim, Jeremiah Lothamer.
This incident has drawn significant attention due to the rapid progression of events — from a deadly shooting at a home, to a multi-jurisdictional car chase, and ending in a fatal confrontation with police. It highlights both the unpredictable nature of violent crime and the fast-paced response required from law enforcement agencies.
The Fort Wayne Police Department, in collaboration with other regional law enforcement bodies, continues to investigate the events of Sunday evening. They are working to determine exactly what led to the shooting on Hinton Drive and the subsequent flight and fatal standoff in Whitley County.
Local residents in both Fort Wayne and Whitley County have expressed concern about the violence, especially as the incident began in a residential area and ended with gunfire near a highway intersection. Community leaders have called for continued efforts to address gun violence and mental health support as part of broader crime prevention strategies.
Meanwhile, friends and family of Jeremiah Lothamer are mourning his death. He is remembered as a longtime Fort Wayne resident, and those close to him are left searching for answers and justice in the wake of the sudden and violent loss.
The investigation is ongoing, and officials are expected to release more information about the suspect and the sequence of events in the coming days. Anyone with information relevant to the shooting or the chase is encouraged to contact the Fort Wayne Police Department or local crime tip lines.
This incident is a stark reminder of how quickly violence can unfold and spread across communities. It also underscores the dangerous and often unpredictable nature of police work, as officers are called upon to make split-second decisions in life-threatening situations. Authorities are hoping that a thorough investigation will bring clarity to the circumstances of the case and help provide some closure for those affected.
