South Bend, Indiana — October 14, 2025: Authorities identified Christopher Chester, age 55, as the man shot and killed by officers with the South Bend Police Department following a reported stabbing incident at an apartment complex on East Monroe Street.
According to officials, officers were dispatched after reports of a stabbing but were unable to locate any injured person upon arrival. Police later obtained a search warrant for the apartment to check for victims or evidence. During the search, Chester, who was allegedly armed with a hammer, confronted officers inside the unit. Police say Chester ignored commands, prompting officers to use a Taser and chemical agents before ultimately firing their weapons. Chester was struck and killed at the scene.
The officers involved were identified as Greg Howard, Austin Minix, Sean Ryan, and David Stefanovski. Following an internal and prosecutorial review, the St. Joseph County Prosecutor’s Office determined the use of deadly force was justified. The investigation has since been closed.
Local media coverage of the incident has been reported by WSBT, Country Herald, WSBT Press Conference Coverage, and ABC57 News.
Lerner and Rowe Injury Attorneys — Advocating for Accountability and Justice
At Lerner and Rowe Injury Attorneys, we represent families affected by fatal police shootings and use-of-force incidents. Our firm is dedicated to ensuring transparency, accountability, and justice in every law enforcement investigation.
🌐 www.LernerAndRowe.com
📞 Available 24/7 for Free Consultations
Disclaimer
Disclaimer: This article is based on publicly available reports as of the date of publication. Lerner and Rowe Injury Attorneys does not independently verify third-party claims and makes no representation regarding the completeness or accuracy of external reporting. All individuals are presumed innocent unless proven guilty in a court of law.