Around the Region

Three killed in shooting at Fort Wayne house party FORT WAYNE -- A fight among a large group of young adults that neighbors say spilled out from a house party into a street, led to a shooting in which three people were killed and two injured. The shootings happened about 1 a.m. Saturday and left another person with a shoulder wound and a fifth person with a bullet wound to his hand. Resident Chad Pratt said he had left his home late Friday and saw people arriving next door. He said the people who lived in the house where the party was being held were usually quiet and that the party just got out of control. Those killed were Jemarckeous Clay and Tayoung Holley, both 19, and 24-year-old Theodore Mathias. All three men died from gunshot wounds to the chest, Allen County Coroner Jon Brandenberger said. Police Detective Bridget Glaser said the department was not yet commenting on what led to the shootings or whether investigators had any suspects.
Maximum sentence given to Elkart man ELKHART, Ind. -- A Texas man convicted of killing a 26-year-old woman has received the maximum 65-year sentence for the crime. Brian Gilstrap, 24, of Greenville, Texas, was sentenced Thursday in Tamara Robinson's killing. Her father called the sentence lenient. Randy Holtzinger, Robinson's father, said he wanted the death penalty but prosecutors never requested that. "The next best option would be for me to take you home out in the woods for about 30 minutes," Holtzinger told Gilstrap, who was convicted of murder in September. The sentencing capped more than two years of waiting for Robinson's family that began when her body was discovered June 10, 2000, inside Elkhart Auto Sales, the family business she ran. Gilstrap listened in silence and chose not to speak on his behalf at the sentencing. He plans to appeal the sentence.
Discarded cigarette started fire that killed couple BUTLERVILLE, Ind. -- Fire investigators said a smoldering cigarette sparked a house fire that killed a couple in their bathroom. The State Fire Marshal's Office said Thursday that the fire that killed Gerald D. Sylvester, 67, and his wife, Joan, 69, early Tuesday was caused by a cigarette discarded near a living room loveseat. The couple, who had been married 49 years, were found huddled in a bathroom after the fire destroyed their Butlerville home. Both died from smoke inhalation, said Jennings County Coroner Eugene Rudicel. He said flames blocked the only door to the house, and the couple was not strong enough to open a bathroom window. Relatives said Joan Sylvester had a habit of putting out cigarettes in an ash tray then throwing the butts into a trash can, Rudicel said. The couple's home had no working smoke detectors, officials said.
Woman accused of beating daughter faces new charge MISHAWAKA, Ind. -- A woman accused of hitting her 4-year-old daughter in a beating caught by a surveillance camera surrendered to face new charges of giving police false addresses. Madelyne Gorman Toogood turned herself in Friday night on the misdemeanor charge of false informing, said St. Joseph County jail officer Jay Dooley. She was released after posting a $2,000 bond. Toogood's attorney, Steve Rosen, said he believed the new charge was unfair. "The trauma continues for her. It was uncalled for," he said. Authorities say Toogood gave them addresses for commercial mailbox businesses in Mishawaka and Elkhart, Ind., and Fort Worth, Texas. Toogood's daughter was placed in a foster home. She has two young sons who remain in her custody.