Elkhart County man arrested after 18-hour standoff with police

ELKHART COUNTY, Ind. (WISH) – An Elkhart County man was arrested Sunday after an 18-hour standoff with police, according to a news release from the Indiana State Police.

On Saturday, officers with the Elkhart County Sheriff’s Office responded to a residence in the 57000 block of Pendleton Drive in Elkhart County to check on an adult male and his two children. At 9:06 p.m. on Saturday, officers arrived at the residence but were unable to reach the man. Officers learned that the man was armed at the residence and was threatening to harm his children and officers.

At 12:09 a.m. on Sunday, the Elkhart County Regional Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) team responded to secure the scene and make contact with the man. The man refused to leave the home, fired a firearm, and barricaded himself inside the home. This incident continued throughout 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 on Sunday morning.

According to officials, many attempts were made to reach the man Sunday morning and into the afternoon hours, but with little success. At 3:30 p.m. on Sunday, the Indiana State Police Emergency Response Team entered the home and arrested the suspect. The suspect was identified as 37-year-old Ryan Snyder. A 2-year-old boy was found dead inside the home. A 4-year-old girl was also found. She was treated at the scene and released to a relative.

Snyder was transported to a local hospital for evaluation and subsequently booked into the Elkhart County Jail. This incident is being investigated by detectives from the Indiana State Police and the Elkhart County Homicide Unit. The Elkhart County District Attorney’s Office will review the case and file charges against Snyder.