William Joseph Peters dies in fatal Fort Wayne shooting
Fatal Fort Wayne shooting death of William Joseph Peters
William Joseph Peters, an 81-year-old man from Fort Wayne, has been identified as the victim of a fatal police action shooting that occurred off Irving Road on Friday. According to the Allen County Coroner’s Office, Mr. Peters died from multiple gunshot wounds, and the manner of death has been ruled a homicide. This incident marks the 29th homicide in Fort Wayne, Allen County, Indiana in 2025.
The fatal incident took place on Friday, September 12, 2025, in the area of Schwartz Road and Irving Road in New Haven. East Central Fire and EMS responded to the scene and pronounced Mr. Peters deceased after providing lifesaving care. The autopsy has been completed, and the next of kin has been notified. The cause of death was determined to be multiple gunshot wounds, and the manner of death was classified as homicide resulting from a police action shooting.
The individual involved has been identified as William Joseph Peters, a white male in his 81st year. The incident is currently under investigation by multiple agencies, including the Allen County Sheriff’s Department, the Fort Wayne Police Department, the Indiana State Police, and the Allen County Prosecutor’s Office.
An update from the Indiana State Police revealed that an Allen County Sheriff’s Department Deputy responded to a suspicious vehicle parked near Schwartz and Irving Roads around 8 p.m. on Friday. Upon approaching the vehicle, the Deputy noticed an armed individual with an unknown injury. After attempting to de-escalate the situation, the person exited the vehicle and made an aggressive movement, prompting officers from three agencies to fire on the individual. At the time of the shooting, it was determined that the individual had sustained a self-inflicted gunshot wound while inside the vehicle before exiting.
A Fort Wayne Police Officer was injured during the incident and was released from the hospital shortly after. The extent and cause of the officer’s injury remain unclear. The Indiana State Police Investigations Bureau is leading the ongoing investigation into the incident.
If you or someone you know is experiencing mental health issues or suicidal thoughts, assistance is available through the National Suicide & Crisis Lifeline by calling 988.
