South Bend Gunman Perry Gets 8+ Years

SOUTH BEND – Zai’Vohn Perry, 25, of South Bend, Indiana, is facing a long stretch behind bars after receiving a 101-month sentence for his role in a pair of brazen shootings and a subsequent drug trafficking operation. U.S. District Court Judge Damon R. Leichty handed down the sentence following Perry’s guilty plea to being a convicted felon in possession of a firearm and possessing a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, Acting United States Attorney M. Scott Proctor announced today.

The sentence breaks down to 41 months on Count 2 of the indictment and 60 months on Count 5, to be served consecutively. Perry will also be subject to three years of supervised release on both counts, running concurrently. This isn’t just about illegal guns; it’s about a reckless disregard for the safety of South Bend residents.

Court documents reveal a pattern of violence. In January 2024, Perry initiated a mid-afternoon gunfight, unleashing 17 rounds in a residential neighborhood. A week later, he repeated the act, firing multiple shots in broad daylight – again, in a populated area. The South Bend Police Department, working alongside the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), quickly obtained a search warrant for Perry’s residence.

The search turned up the firearms used in both shootings, alongside a stash of over 100 fentanyl pills and marijuana packaged for distribution. This wasn’t just a dispute; it was a clear operation to push dangerous drugs onto the streets, fueled by illegal weaponry. The evidence paints a picture of a man actively endangering the community for profit.

Assistant United States Attorney Katelan McKenzie Doyle led the prosecution, building a solid case based on the physical evidence and the sheer audacity of Perry’s actions. The investigation highlights the ATF and South Bend PD’s commitment to curbing gun violence and dismantling drug trafficking networks. This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a federal initiative designed to bring together law enforcement and communities to reduce violent crime.

The Department of Justice launched a strengthened PSN strategy in May 2021, focusing on fostering trust with communities, supporting violence prevention organizations, prioritizing strategic enforcement, and tracking results. The Perry case exemplifies these principles – removing a dangerous offender and disrupting a criminal enterprise. The message is clear: those who endanger South Bend with gun violence and drug trafficking will be held accountable.