ELKHART — A well-known South Bend yoga instructor was identified Tuesday, April 28, as the victim in a deadly shooting the day before, and South Bend police acknowledged the suspect in that shooting was a former officer.

Thirty-eight-year-old Kaylon Woods, also known as Kay, was identified by the Elkhart Police Department, Tribune newsgathering partner WNDU-TV reported.

Woods was reportedly shot just before 2 p.m. April 27 in the 2500 block of Links Drive, WNDU reported. A 30-year-old woman was also injured in the incident.

The South Bend Police Department released a statement on the afternoon of April 28 regarding a former officer being the suspect in the shooting.

"Adonis Joseph was hired by the South Bend Police Department in May of 2011," according to a written release. "In December of 2017, per the Chief, the Police Department’s Internal Affairs initiated an investigation regarding allegations involving Joseph. Joseph was then relieved of duty."

Joseph resigned Jan. 26, 2018, according to the statement.

After the shooting Monday, a SWAT team was called a few hours later to the 28000 block of Golden Pond Trail in Elkhart to find the suspect. A house fire had already been called in at the address, WNDU reported.

A dead body was found inside after the fire was extinguished, but police did not say whether the deceased was the shooting suspect, according to WNDU.

Woods was beloved in the community for his yoga classes, which he taught at Soul Fire, DRIP and the Martin Luther King Jr. Dream Center.

“We are heartbroken by the loss of someone who meant so much to our community. He was not only a talented yoga instructor at DRIP this past winter, but a steady, positive presence who brought people together,” DRIP owner Jayme Barcus told WNDU. “Our hearts are with his kids, his family, and everyone who knew and loved him. Right now, we are focused on supporting one another and honoring his life in a way that reflects the impact he had on all of us.”

“Our hearts are with everyone affected by this horrible and senseless tragedy,” South Bend Chief of Police Scott Ruszkowski said in the written statement.

This article originally appeared on South Bend Tribune: Ex-South Bend cop a suspect in Elkhart death of popular yoga teacher

Updated Wed, April 29, 2026 at 10:30 AM EDT