FORT WAYNE, Ind. (ADAMS) – The FWPD says arrests have been made in a shooting on Christmas that took one man’s life. Officers were initially called to Wells Street close to Fourth for shots fired.
They found a man who had been shot and killed a short time later on the 1600 block of Wells. The victim was identified as Philip Rhinehart. Just a day later, the FWPD said that two men were in custody for his death.
The Allen County Coroner released the following:
On Wednesday, December 25th, 2024, the Allen County Coroner’s Office was notified of a shooting in the 1600 block of Wells Street in Fort Wayne. The victim was pronounced deceased at the scene by first responders.
The victim was identified as Philip Michael Rhinehart, 39, male, White of Fort Wayne, Indiana.
An autopsy has been completed and notification has been made to the legal next of kin. The Cause of Death is Gunshot Wound of Chest, and the Manner of Death is Homicide.Philip Michael Rhinehart is the 41st homicide for Allen County in 2024.
The incident remains under investigation by the Fort Wayne Police Department, the Allen County Prosecutor’s Office and the Allen County Coroner’s Office.
Shortly after the shooting, the Fort Wayne Police Department released the following:
The Fort Wayne Police Department is investigating a shooting incident which occurred tonight, Wednesday, December 25, 2024 at approximately 6:32PM, leaving one person deceased. FWPD had received reports of shots fired near the intersection of W Fourth St and Wells St. Then, shortly thereafter, were dispatched to the 1600 block of Wells St. Upon arrival, officers located a male, adult suffering from apparent gunshot wounds. Fort Wayne Firefighters and TRAA Medics were cleared to make the scene, where they rendered aid, before pronouncing the male deceased.
A page was then initiated for FWPD Homicide Detectives, ASU(Aerial Support Unit), Crime Scene Investigators and the Coroner’s Office. Personnel on scene are using all resources available to investigate this incident. This incident remains under investigation by the FWPD, Allen County Prosecutor’s Office, and the Coroner’s office. Anyone with information is asked to call the FWPD at 260-427-1201, Crime Stoppers at 260-436-7867, or use the anonymous P3 Tips App.
The FWPD announced the arrests on December 26 with the following:
After an aggressive investigation, the Fort Wayne Police Department’s Homicide Unit, in conjunction with the Gang and Violent Crimes unit and the Vice/Narcotics Division, has arrested two males regarding the fatal shooting that took place yesterday evening in the 1600 block of Wells St.
Shawn Williams was arrested around 10:30pm last night near the intersection of Stellhorn Rd and Maplecrest Rd, and Chad Kinney was arrested around 1pm today in the 5600 block of Kelso Ln. Both have been booked into the Allen County Jail on charges of Murder.
Suspect Arrested #1: Chad Kinney, male/46yoa
Preliminary Charges: Murder
Suspect Arrested #2: Shawn Williams, male/47yoa
Preliminary Charges: Murder
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