BREAKING: Young woman seemingly targeted in deadly Martin's shooting
ELKHART, Ind. -- On Friday, the Elkhart County Prosecutor's Office held a press conference to make a statement about the investigation into Monday's deadly shooting at Martin's Super Market in Elkhart.
Prosecutor statement regarding Martin's shooting:
***Graphic material warning, information not suitable for certain readers***
"Although the investigation into what motivated Juan M. Sanchez to attack in our community is still ongoing. A picture is emerging that prompts me to want to remind everyone how important it is to be aware of your surroundings, the people in your surroundings, and the potential dangers in your surroundings. Not because anyone should live in fear, but everyone should be empowered to recognize threats to safety. So often, I see people so absorbed in their cellular phones, or clearly oblivious to their surroundings, that they do not recognize dangerous actions of others.
I repeat, I am not suggesting that you presume everyone has nefarious motives. However, there are so many instances where people get injured when they did not recognize clear and present danger.
For 19-year-old Annasue Rocha, known as Annie to friends and family, she recognized the danger, but was unable to stop it.
At approximately 5:30 p.m., on Monday, Jan. 27, 2025, Juan Sanchez, an adult male age 54, had been inside the Martin's store for about 20 minutes. During that time, he observed other young females in the store, loaded beer and wine into his cart, then proceeded to the self-checkout area where Annie was working. He paused there, then approached a self-checkout lane and scanned his first alcoholic beverage, then waited for Annie to approach him to check his ID.
Annie took his ID back to her register, and as she approached him again to return his ID, Sanchez removed a gun from his coat pocket, displaying it for her to see. He then grabbed Annie's wrist and spoke to her, leading her a few steps toward the exit. Annie spoke to him and was visibly shaken, but not able to flee due to his hold on her and the gun.
Another female customer observed what she perceived to be harassment by Sanchez toward Annie and immediately notified a manager, who was close by. That manager quickly responded and confronted Sanchez, which gave Annie the opportunity to turn away and step back.
However, Sanchez then turned to Annie and shot her, causing her death. Sanchez then fired toward the manager and others who had already begun to run toward the exit. Sanchez then turned back toward the interior of the store and fired again toward the patrons that were running from the self-checkout area, including Benjamin Jeffery and his wife, striking Benjamin.
Sanchez began pushing his cart toward the exit. He stopped, walked back to Annie's body, and shot her numerous additional times as she lay on the floor. Sanchez left the store with his cart and walked across the street, then around the east side of the apartment building to the south of the store where law enforcement officers encountered him shortly thereafter.
What we know at this point is that Sanchez was drawn to significantly younger females and had recently had some changes in his personal life that eroded whatever prior self- regulation he may have had.
Other reports of suspicious behavior involving young females have been reported since Monday. In each case, the young lady avoided further contact with Sanchez. One reported that she had obtained a protective order in Illinois to cease contact approximately two to three years ago. Although a police report was made, no further documentation has been found demonstrating additional formal action.
Mr. Sanchez appears to have moved to his most recent apartment in the Elkhart area in April of 2024. However, no reports have been located documenting complaints to Elkhart County law enforcement professionals regarding Mr. Sanchez.
I want to conclude my comments with a request for people to stop spreading gossip, rumors, and speculation about this tragedy. If you are not someone that has personal information about a topic, you have no business spreading information. Social media commentary is not helpful, paints a false picture, and creates false narratives that cause harm and misinformation.
Out of respect for all of those who have experienced this unspeakable trauma and are trying to navigate the emotions and circumstances of the healing process necessary, seeing the false information is extremely troubling and interferes with that process.
To the Martin's supermarket employees, to the family, friends, loved ones of Annie Rocha and Ben Jeffery, to the lady that notified the manager and the manager that led others to safety, to countless police officers and first responders that helped, and to every member of our community and beyond that are praying for, and supporting these people, we are with you.
Your experiences, your courage to keep on, and your strength to seek healing, are all examples of the good in our beloved community. Thank you for your examples of leadership."
According to the office of Immigration and Naturalization Service and the Department of Homeland security, Sanchez was a lawful permanent resident of the United States.