LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) — Jennings County Prosecutor said two southern Indiana police officers were justified in the deadly shooting of a woman last year.
The shooting happened on Thomas Drive in North Vernon, Indiana in April 2023.
More than 16 months later, Jennings County Prosecutor Brian Belding found the two North Vernon police officers were justified in using deadly force for self defense.
On April 9, 2023, Sgt. Adam Driver and Officer Allen were sent to an apartment for a domestic disturbance call in Thomas Drive in North Vernon.
Police said 23-year-old Danielle Blake threatened a relative with a golf club after an argument.
The relative called police and said Blake needed to go to a hospital to get evaluated, but Blake refused.
When the officers got there, Sgt. Driver asked Blake come out and talk with him or he'd come in. The prosecutor's report said Blake threatened to stab the officer if he came inside.
Deputies Ben Seastrom and Dylan Smock arrived to help Sgt. Driver and Blake. When they went inside the apartment, they found Blake in the bathroom with the door closed.
The prosecutor said in the report Officer Allen broke down the door after Blake repeatedly refused to come out and found her on the floor holding a knife.
Officers told her to drop the knife. After she refused, Deputy Seastrom fired his teaser, but Blake continued to hold the knife and moved to the bathtub.
Belding said officers then tried to knock the knife out of her hand with a golf club, but she stood up and raised the knife and started heading toward Deputy Seastrom while threatening to kill him.
That's when both Sgt. Driver and Officer Allen shot Blake. She was given medical attention but later died.
Belding reviewed the evidence, witness statements, body camera videos, documents, and laboratory reports and ultimately came to the conclusion that Sgt. Driver and Officer Allen were justified in using deadly force to defend themselves and the other deputies.
Belding added in the report there will be no criminal liability on the part of Sgt. Driver or Officer Allen.
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