Andy Paras
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News Director, @fox55fortwayne. Past: @mycbs4 @abcnews4 @postandcourier. @ballstate alum. Welcome great story ideas: aparas@wfft.com
Articles by Andy Paras
Semi hits crashed SUV on snowy Indiana Toll Road, teen seriously hurt
ELKHART, Ind. (WFFT) -- A teen is severely injured after his crashed car was hit by a semi on a slick and snowy Indiana Toll Road Friday night. Indiana State Police say a 19-year-old from Frankfort, Ill. was driving a black, Ford SUV east on the toll road around 7 p.m., when it spun out and crashed about two miles east of the Elkhart exit, blocking the eastbound lanes.
Fort Wayne Children's Zoo changing its name
Share FORT WAYNE, Ind. (WFFT) -- The Fort Wayne Children's Zoo is changing its name. Starting Jan. 1, the zoo will now be known as the Fort Wayne Zoo. A statement released today says zoo staff has heard overwhelming feedback from visitors who thought the zoo was smaller, or "just a petting zoo" based on its name. “This new name will better reflect who we are and what we do, and our mission won’t change.
Fort Wayne Children's Zoo changing its name
FORT WAYNE, Ind. (WFFT) -- The Fort Wayne Children's Zoo is changing its name. Starting Jan. 1, the zoo will now be known as the Fort Wayne Zoo. A statement released today says zoo staff has heard overwhelming feedback from visitors who thought the zoo was smaller, or "just a petting zoo" based on its name. "This new name will better reflect who we are and what we do, and our mission won't change.
Suspect arrested after chase ends on Coliseum Boulevard
FORT WAYNE, Ind. (WFFT) -- Fort Wayne Police have arrested a man after a chase involving dozens of patrols cars ended on Coliseum Boulevard. It all started around noon today when officers were helping the Allen County Sheriff's Department serve a warrant at 1300 Summit Street. Police say the suspect drove away, leading to the pursuit. FOX 55 News witnessed more than a dozen police cars chasing a pickup truck across Coliseum Boulevard onto Executive Boulevard.
Over a dozen police cars chase driver to Coliseum Boulevard
By By: Andy Paras,By: Logan Stevens FORT WAYNE, Ind. (WFFT) -- Fort Wayne Police chased a driver across Coliseum Boulevard in a pursuit that involved around 20 police cruisers. The chase ended near the Arby's at around 2 this afternoon. A suspect has been caught. FOX 55 News is on the scene gathering details, and we will share them with you as soon as we have them. Have a story you want FOX 55 to cover or a news tip? Send an email to news@wfft.com.
Police arrest Meijer armed robbery suspect in North Manchester
FORT WAYNE, Ind. (WFFT) -- Police say they've arrested a man who pointed a gun at an off-duty trooper outside of a Fort Wayne Meijer and then barricaded himself inside a home in North Manchester. Fort Wayne Police say loss prevention officers tried to stop a man from pushing a cart of unpaid merchandise out of the Meijer at 6309 Lima Road.
Man arrested, charged with murder in deadly 2021 shooting in NE Fort Wayne
FORT WAYNE, Ind. (WFFT) -- Police have arrested a man accused of killing another man in Northeast Fort Wayne three years ago. Investigators have charged 21-year-old Jalan Carpenter with murder in the death of 19-year-old John Peterson. Police say Peterson was shot near Lane Middle School on Reed Road just before 11 p.m. on March 26th, 2021. They say he drove to the 4600 block of Willard Drive before he died at the scene.
Fort Wayne man charged with murder in 23-year-old cold case
FORT WAYNE, Ind. (WFFT) -- Fort Wayne Police have arrested a man accused of killing a man during a burglary more than 23 years ago. Investigators have charged 43-year-old Tommy Harris, Jr. with felony murder and burglary in the death of 29-year-old Larry Lovelace, Jr. Lovelace was killed inside a home at the 5300 block of McClellan Street on June 27, 2001. Police say they arrested Harris without incident Wednesday at a home on Lillie Street. He's being held at the Allen County Jail.
Huntington man sentenced to 85 years for killing grandmother
HUNTINGTON, Ind. (WFFT) -- A judge on Wednesday sentenced a Huntington man to serve 85 years in prison for killing his grandmother a year ago. Earlier this month, a jury found 38-year-old Anthony Castleman guilty of murdering 72-year-old Bernice Eubank. Prosecutors say he stabbed her to death inside her Markle home and then hid the body beneath several objects outside of a small barn on her property.
Deadly crash shuts down I-69 northbound lanes south of Auburn
AUBURN, Ind. (WFFT) -- A deadly crash near the CR 11A Exit has shut down the northbound lanes of I-69. Dispatchers confirm at least one person is dead. Indiana State Police say a car collided with a tractor-trailer. Northbound traffic is shut down between Union Chapel Road and State Road 8. Troopers will be diverting traffic onto State Road 427. It's not immediately clear how long the northbound lanes will be closed. Have a story you want FOX 55 to cover or a news tip? Send an email to news@wfft.com.
Indiana State Police ramping up patrols starting Saturday
FORT WAYNE, Ind. (WFFT) -- More than a million Hoosiers are expected to hit the roads for Thanksgiving, and Indiana State Police wants to remind you they'll be among them. Troopers are increasing patrols for the holiday as part of the annual Safe Family Travel Campaign. During the campaign, which starts Saturday, troopers will be working overtime targeting impaired driving, aggressive driving and proper use of seat belts.
Fort Wayne GM, UAW sign agreement, avoid strike
FORT WAYNE, Ind. (WFFT) -- The local UAW and Fort Wayne General Motors plant have come to an agreement to avoid a strike. According to a Local 2209 bargaining committee report, the two sides agreed on several conditions that will allow senior members to return to their original jobs. The conflict started in September when the plant looked to lay off 250 temporary employees. UAW countered that the company should have hired permanent employees instead of using temporary workers.
Coroner identifies teen shot dead inside Southwest Fort Wayne home
FORT WAYNE, Ind. (WFFT) -- The Allen County Coroner has identified an 18-year-old man who was shot to death inside a Southwest Fort Wayne home early Saturday morning. Fort Wayne Police responded to a house in the 1000 block of Huestis Avenue just after midnight. The coroner says Corbin Scott Cornett died inside from multiple gunshot wounds. Police have made no arrests. Cornett is the 38th homicide victim this year. Have a story you want FOX 55 to cover or a news tip? Send an email to news@wfft.com.
Man killed in fiery, head-on crash in Steuben County
JACKSON TOWNSHIP, Ind. (WFFT) -- A Ohio City man died in a fiery, head-on crash in rural Steuben County Saturday. Steuben County Sheriff's deputies responded to U.S. 20 near County Road 900 around 6:40 p.m. Deputies say 91-year-old Lester Merkle was driving a blue 2014 Lincoln MKX westbound on U.S. 20 when it drifted left of the center line, into the path of oncoming traffic.
2nd man charged with murder in deadly Decatur Road shooting
FORT WAYNE, Ind. (WFFT) -- Fort Wayne Police have charged a second man with murder in connection to a deadly August shooting on Decatur Road. Gregory Lovelady, 34, was already in jail on three counts of dealing cocaine when police charged him with murder Friday in the death of 29-year-old Jamion Martin of Chicago. Police say 63-year-old Dwayne Sims shot and killed Martin inside a Decatur Road apartment on Aug. 22nd.
Tennessee man faces child porn charges in Wabash County
WABASH, Ind. (WFFT) -- A Tennessee man is awaiting extradition to Wabash County on charges that he was trying to buy child pornography online. Indiana State Police say they received a tip about the online account in January 2024. Investigators say they eventually linked the account to 23-year-old Lance Smith of Cordova. Wabash County prosecutors issued arrest warrants charging Smith with two counts of child exploitation and three counts of dissemination of matter harmful to minors.
Homestead High put on 'hold' for unfounded report of student with a gun
FORT WAYNE, Ind. (WFFT) -- Homestead High School was on hold for 19 minutes Thursday as school and law enforcement officials investigated a report of a student with a gun. The school says the report was unsubstantiated but police did take a student into custody for making threats.
Chaffee, Jamison claim NACS trustee seats
FORT WAYNE, Ind. (WFFT) -- Northwest Allen County Schools appear to be getting two new school board members. Unofficial results show challenger Erica Jamison leading District 1 incumbent Kent Somers by a margin of 55.13 to 44.87 percent In District 2, results have Liz Chaffee defeating Mary Kate Dohl by a margin of 57.79 to 42.21 percent. There was only one contested race on the Fort Wayne Community Schools board.
Unofficial results show Republicans take 3 Allen County Council seats
FORT WAYNE, Ind. (WFFT) -- Three Republicans running for three open Allen County Council at-large seats completed the GOP sweep Tuesday night. With all precincts reporting, unofficial results show Republican Ken Fries (20.5 percent), Robert Armstrong (19.5 percent) and Lindsey Hammond (18 percent) as the Top 3 vote getters. Both Fries and Armstrong are incumbents. The results show Anie Henry (14.5 percent), Nena Bailey (14 percent) and Kevin Hunter (13 percent) rounding out the bottom.
Fort Wayne man back in jail on murder charges after failing to show up to court
FORT WAYNE, Ind. (WFFT) -- Fort Wayne Police have arrested a man who failed to appear in court on murder charges last week. Investigators say they took 30-year-old Devonte Travier into custody without incident Tuesday in the 3800 block of Wayne Trace. He was arrested on warrants for murder, dealing meth and obstruction of justice. Travier is accused of killing 39-year-old Diasha Fitts on Feb. 19 near the intersection of Winchester Road and Airport Expressway. He is scheduled to face trial on Jan.
'Disruptive student' puts Homestead High on hold for 30 minutes
FORT WAYNE, Ind. (WFFT) -- Southwest Allen County Schools say Homestead High School was put on 'hold' for about a half-hour Tuesday while police dealt with a disruptive student. In a letter to families, the district says officers responded to the school at 11 a.m. to help a school resource officer with a "disruptive student" in the hallway who had left the building. The district says the resource officer requested help to ensure the safety of everyone involved.
Convicted child molester sentenced to 16 years in prison
FORT WAYNE, Ind. (WFFT) -- A man who pleaded guilty to molesting a child starting in 2019 was sentenced to prison Tuesday. A judge sentenced 36-year-old Nicholas Bolin to serve 16 years. Bolin was arrested in November of 2023 when the victim came forward and told police he abused her multiple times when she was in middle school. As part of a plea agreement with prosecutors, Bolin pleaded guilty to child molesting.
Coroner IDs remains of baby found in 2002
FORT WAYNE, Ind. (WFFT) -- Authorities have determined that the body of an infant discovered in Fort Wayne 22 years ago was not the victim of a crime. "Baby John Doe" was found in the 4000 block of Calumet Avenue on March 14, 2002. The Allen County Coroner says Indiana State Police recently identified the baby using Next-Generation Sequencing. A familial search on the DNA profiled led them to the child's father. The coroner says police interviewed the father, which led them to a possible mother.
Jury finds man guilty of killing Fort Wayne man during card game
FORT WAYNE, Ind. (WFFT) -- An Allen County jury on Friday found a man guilty of killing a Fort Wayne man during a card game in February of 2023. Prosecutors told jurors that 30-year-old Jerico Simmons shot and killed 29-year-old Timothy Leroy Coats just before midnight on Feb. 27th while they were playing spades with two other people. One of the witnesses told police everyone was getting along when Simmons shot Coats in the head "out of nowhere," according to a probable cause affidavit.
Inmate from Jay County caught after walking away from Indiana prison
EDINBURGH, Ind. (WFFT) -- An inmate from Jay County is back at the Edinburgh Correctional Facility after officials say he walked away from the minimum security prison Friday morning. Court records show 31-year-old Dylan Clubs pleaded guilty in June to possession of methamphetamines in Blackford County. He has previous convictions for dealing meth in 2018, 2015 and 2014. The Indiana Department of Corrections says he walked away from the Johnson County prison Friday morning but is now back in custody.
Boy wounded in Lafayette Street shooting in Fort Wayne
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Boy wounded in Lafayette Street shooting in Fort Wayne
FORT WAYNE, Ind. (WFFT) -- Fort Wayne Police are investigating a shooting that critically wounded a boy Friday afternoon. Officers say they responded to reports of shots fired near the 3500 block of S. Lafayette Street around 12:40 p.m. Witnesses told police they saw an "individual" running from the area after they heard the gunshots. As investigators searched the scene they learned a boy with gunshot wounds arrived at a local hospital.
Man found guilty of murdering grandmother in Markle
HUNTINGTON, Ind. (WFFT) -- A Huntington County jury has found a man guilty of murdering his grandmother inside her Markle home last November. Prosecutors say 38-year-old Anthony Castleman stabbed 72-year-old Bernice Eubank and hid her body was found buried under several objects outside of a small barn on her property. Eubank's body was discovered days later. U.S. Marshals arrested Castleman in Georgia about a month later.
Man found guilty of murdering grandmother in Markle
HUNTINGTON, Ind. (WFFT) -- A Huntington County jury has found a man guilty of murdering his grandmother inside her Markle home last November. Prosecutors say 38-year-old Anthony Castleman stabbed 72-year-old Bernice Eubank and hid her body was found buried under several objects outside of a small barn on her property. Eubank's body was discovered days later. U.S. Marshals arrested Castleman in Georgia about a month later. Have a story you want FOX 55 to cover or a news tip?
Coroner IDs woman killed in Fort Wayne Fire truck crash
FORT WAYNE, Ind. (WFFT) -- The Allen County coroner has identified the woman who died in a collision with a Fort Wayne Fire battalion chief on Friday. The coroner says 51-year-old Robin Ann Pagley of Decatur died at the scene from multiple blunt force injuries. Fort Wayne Police say Battalion Chief 10 was responding to a fire with its lights on just after 4 p.m. The vehicle was heading south on South Anthony Boulevard when it entered the intersection at Maumee Avenue, leading to a 3-car collision.
Mayor Tucker responds to house party shooting that killed one, wounded 10
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Mayor Tucker responds to house party shooting that killed one, wounded 10
FORT WAYNE, Ind. (WFFT) -- Mayor Sharon Tucker has released a statement responding to a shooting that killed one person and wounded 10 others during a high school house party in northeast Fort Wayne Saturday night. "My heart is heavy today as we try to process the violence that occurred in our city last night," Tucker wrote in a statement. "The FWPD is working tirelessly to learn more about what happened and bring those responsible to justice.
One killed, 10 wounded in shooting at Indiana high school house party
FORT WAYNE, Ind. (WFFT) -- A high school house party in northeast Fort Wayne erupted in gunfire that killed one person and wounded 10 others Saturday night. Fort Wayne Police responded to multiple 911 calls in the area of 4900 Manistee Drive, just off Stellhorn Road, around 10:25 p.m. Officers reported a chaotic scene with teen-aged party-goers fleeing in all directions. Many of the gunshot victims showed up at local hospitals. Authorities pronounced one person dead at the scene.
One killed, 10 wounded in shooting at high school house party on Manistee Drive
FORT WAYNE, Ind. (WFFT) -- A high school house party in northeast Fort Wayne erupted in gunfire that killed one person and wounded 10 others Saturday night. Fort Wayne Police responded to multiple 911 calls in the area of 4900 Manistee Drive, just off Stellhorn Road, around 10:25 p.m. Officers reported a chaotic scene with teen-aged party-goers fleeing in all directions. Many of the gunshot victims showed up at local hospitals. Authorities pronounced one person dead at the scene.
Fort Wayne man sentenced to 92 years in 2016 murder
FORT WAYNE, Ind. (WFFT) - A judge sentenced a Fort Wayne man to serve 92 years in prison for killing a teen in 2016. Twenty-five-year-old Michael Harding, II, was sentenced to serve 58 years for murder, 18 years for using a gun, 12 years for aggravated battery, and an additional four years for intimidation with a deadly weapon. Police say Harding shot and killed 17-year-old Dontay White while he was inside a car on Brickshire Parkway back in May of 2016.
Police arrest Fort Wayne man caught in 'Predator Poachers' sting
FORT WAYNE, Ind. (WFFT) -- Police have arrested a man after an online group that targets sexual predators says they caught him trying to meet up with a 13-year-old girl in Fort Wayne. The Allen County Sheriff's Department arrested and charged 36-year-old Andrew Flueckiger with child solicitation.
Prosecutors clear New Haven officers who shot armed man in April
NEW HAVEN, Ind. (WFFT) -- The Allen County Prosecuting Attorney has cleared three New Haven Police officers who shot an armed man in April. The prosecutor says the officers were justified in using force when they shot and killed 37-year-old Robert Vicena while responding to a domestic battery call on Moeller Road on the night of April 27th. Police say they were trying to arrest Vicena when he attacked them with a knife. Two of the officers were treated at the hospital for knife wounds.
Poinsette Drive Police Presence
FOX 55 will provide more information as it becomes available.
Samuel Caston's family, NAACP demands to see body cam video of police shooting
FORT WAYNE, Ind. (WFFT) -- The NAACP and the family of a 59-year-old man shot to death by Fort Wayne Police last month want to see the officers' body cam video of the shooting. The family of Samuel Caston say he threw a can of beer at officers but never had a gun when officers opened fire on him while he sat in a car behind his home on Leith Street on Sept. 16th. Caston died at the scene. Police painted a different picture of the events that day.
I-69 Deadly Crash
FOX 55 will provide more information as it becomes available.
Centlivre Apartment Fire
The Fort Wayne Fire Department says minor fire and smoke damage occurred while the building sustained moderate water damage.
Five NCAA events coming to Fort Wayne in 2027, 2028
FORT WAYNE, Ind. (WFFT) -- Fort Wayne has been selected as the site for five NCAA events in 2027 and 2028. The city says the NCAA Division II Men's Basketball Championship in 2027 and 2028 will both be played at the Allen County War Memorial Coliseum. The city has hosted the Division III championships since 2019. Officials say their success with that event has led to these new events.
New Haven dedicates new Lincoln Highway bridge
NEW HAVEN, Ind. (WFFT) -- City officials unveiled new changes to the Lincoln Highway Bridge on Wednesday while also paying homage to its past. The bridge, just east of Hartzell Road, was refurbished to improve its look and safety for pedestrians. New Haven Mayor Steve McMichael says there's even a special touch added to the bridge that pays tribute to the route's significance as the first trans-continental highway.
Big Brothers Big Sisters thank volunteers, seek more mentors
FORT WAYNE, Ind. (WFFT) -- Big Brothers and Big Sisters of Northeast Indiana thanked its volunteers but also issued a call of action for more mentors Tuesday. The organization invited dozens of its volunteers to the Clyde Theater for taking part in both the School Buddies and Real Men Read programs. School Buddies pairs an adult mentor with a child during the student's lunch period. Real Men Read enables male role models to read to 2nd and 3rd grade students during class.
Officer saves boy from drowning screen grab
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Fort Wayne UAW seeks OK to strike against GM over employees' hours
FORT WAYNE, Ind. (WFFT) -- The local United Auto Workers shop chair says he has requested the authority to strike against General Motors in Fort Wayne. Rich LeTourneau with UAW Local 2209 says GM is violating their contract by forcing senior employees to work second and third shifts. The move comes as GM is expected to lay off about 250 temporary, part-time workers on Monday. GM said in a statement that it was unable to reach an agreement with UAW about extending their employment.
Student arrested after fight at Homestead High School
FORT WAYNE, Ind. (WFFT) -- The Allen County Sheriff's Office arrested a student after a fight at Homestead High School on Friday. Officials confirmed the female student was charged with battery after a fight with another student. The student's name has not been released because she is a minor. Have a story you want FOX 55 to cover or a news tip? Send an email to news@wfft.com.
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