FORT WAYNE, Ind. (WOWO): The Allen County Prosecutor’s Office will not press charges against the police officers involved in an October shooting.
The prosecutor’s office said the death of 36-year-old Joseph S. Schroeder was the result of self-defense. No charges will be filed.
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“The officers involved were justified in using deadly force, as they reasonably believed that force was necessary to prevent serious bodily injury or death to a three year old child held at knifepoint by Joseph Schroeder,” according to a press release from the Office of the Prosecuting Attorney.
On Oct. 6, 2016, Officers Anthony Shefferly and Cameron Norris were investigating a shooting at 5328 Story Run. When they arrived, they saw Schroeder with a knife.
He then grabbed a child, went inside a house and refused to come out.
Crews attempted to communicate with him through a loud speaker, which was unsuccessful. At some point, officers were able to contact him by a phone.
During the conversation, Schroeder said he was going to harm the child. An Emergency Team forced their way into the house and saw him standing over the child with knives.
At that time, officers shot Schroeder to save the child, according to police. The child wasn’t harmed during the incident.
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