South Bend, Indiana

From South Bend’s WNDU.com of February 5, 2006

House robbery ends with death of suspect

A South Bend man is recovering after he was robbed and stabbed in his own home early Sunday morning.

Police say the man apparently turned the tables on the suspect and shot him to death.

Neighbors were shocked to find out there was robbery and shooting and were even more surprised to find out that it could be the victim's next door neighbor who did it.

The sign on the door clearly marks the home on 1234 Brookfield Street as a crime scene. The same goes for the leftover pieces of yellow tape on the house next door.

Police say early Sunday morning a neighbor broke into the house to rob the homeowner.

Neighbor Mildred Franklin says, “My thoughts are not just concerned just the neighborhood. It’s more than the neighborhood it reaches farther than the neighborhood. I hate that it goes on in the neighborhood in which I live but this is more than the neighborhood; this is all over.”

Neighbors say the alleged robber, 29 year old Phoenix Coalmon, lived next door.

Police say Coalmon broke into the house and stabbed the homeowner who then in turn shot him to death.

The St. Joseph County jail says Coalmon was just released Saturday after habitual traffic violations.

Neighbors say they're hopeful the violence won't continue.

Says Franklin, “I keep praying and keep trust in God that the people that doing the killing will develop a thirst for righteous.”

The homeowner was taken to the hospital Sunday morning.

Police say he was in serious condition at the time

From South Bend’s WNDU.com of February 7, 2006

Criminal charges will not be filed against Donald Van Dusen

Criminal charges will not be filed against a South Bend man who shot and killed an intruder during a botched robbery.

NewsCenter 16 has told you about a shooting inside a home on Brookfield Street, Sunday.

The homeowner, 79-year-old Donald Van Dusen, shot Phoenix Coalmon.

Coalmon later died at the hospital.

Police say Coalmon planned on robbing Van Dusen's home. However, during a struggle between the two men, Van Dusen was stabbed.

At a news conference Tuesday afternoon, Prosecutor Mike Dvorak said he felt there was no need to file charges.

"All indications are we will not be charging Mr. Van Dusen. (However), the investigation is not complete," said Dvorak Tuesday.

Investigators have not had an opportunity to interview Van Dusen, but family members say his health is improving.

He remains in the hospital recovering from his stab wounds.

From South Bend’s WNDU.com of March 1, 2006

South Bend man who shot intruder, will not face criminal charges

Criminal charges will not be filed against a South Bend man who shot and killed an intruder.

Back on February 5th, 29-year-old Phoenix Coalman attempted to rob 79-year-old Donald VanDusen in his home on North Brookfield.

VanDusen managed to shoot his attacker, but not before being stabbed several times.

St. Joseph County Police say their investigation is complete, and that VanDusen clearly acted in self-defense.