According to reports from the Fort Wayne Journal Gazette and WANE 15 News, the city of Fort Wayne is under scrutiny after two men were shot by Fort Wayne police officers in one week. These incidents have ignited community concern and demands for transparency.

The most recent shooting occurred on Tuesday, Gawon Benson, 31, was fatally shot by Fort Wayne police on the Purdue University Fort Wayne campus. Benson was wanted by DeKalb County Community Corrections.

Just one day later, another man was critically injured in a shooting on Chartwell Drive. Police claim the individual fired a weapon while an officer was assisting a stranded motorist.

These incidents have raised questions about the Fort Wayne Police Department’s protocols for handling such situations. Critics argue for a more consistent approach to releasing information, including the names of involved officers, body camera footage, and detailed incident reports.

The community’s demand for transparency stems from a history of similar cases where information that does not favor police is slow to be released, while footage that helps exonerate officers is shared immediately.

Local leaders, including Mayor Sharon Tucker, have acknowledged the community’s concerns and promised to address them. However, critics argue that more concrete actions are needed to rebuild trust between the police department and the community.

As investigations into these recent shootings continue, the city of Fort Wayne faces a critical moment in determining the future of its relationship with law enforcement.