Michiana Crime Stoppers Offers Reward for 2025 Homicide
Authorities seek information regarding the 2025 shooting death of 37-year-old Brien Franklin Jr. in South Bend.
Updated on Oct. 26, 2026 in Violence
Michiana Crime Stoppers is offering a $2,500 cash reward for information leading to the person responsible for the October 28, 2025, death of 37-year-old Brien Franklin Jr. The shooting occurred in the 500 block of W. Colfax Avenue in South Bend.
Why it matters
Detectives are requesting assistance from the public to help identify the perpetrator of this fatal shooting. Community input is essential for investigators working to resolve this case.
Michiana Crime Stoppers has authorized a $2,500 cash reward for tips leading to an arrest in this homicide investigation. The investigation into the shooting remains active as detectives seek witnesses who were in the 500 block of W. Colfax Avenue.
The players
Brien Franklin Jr.
He was the 37-year-old victim of a fatal shooting that occurred in South Bend.
Michiana Crime Stoppers
This is a local organization that partners with law enforcement to collect anonymous tips for ongoing criminal investigations.
The details
Brien Franklin Jr. was 37 years old when he was fatally shot outside an apartment complex shortly after 12:00 p.m. on October 28, 2025. Members of the public can provide information to the organization via its anonymous online form or by calling 574-288-7867.
Timeline
October 28, 2025: Brien Franklin Jr. was shot and killed.
October 26, 2026: Michiana Crime Stoppers announced the reward offer.
Legal Context
This reward offer follows the standard protocol established by the Crime Stoppers International anonymous tip model to generate leads on cold cases. Such initiatives are frequently utilized by local jurisdictions in South Bend to encourage community cooperation when traditional investigative leads become stalled.
Residents who may have been in the vicinity of W. Colfax Avenue at the time of the incident are encouraged to come forward with information. The anonymous tip line is designed to protect the identity of those providing evidence while aiding the local police department.
The takeaway
Providing any detail, regardless of how small it may seem, can be critical for investigators working to solve long-standing cases. Residents are reminded that all tips provided to Michiana Crime Stoppers remain strictly anonymous.
Further reading
For more information on local safety efforts, visit the South Bend Violence section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Wndu.
