This afternoon the Indiana State Police confirmed they have concluded their investigation into an officer-involved shooting that occurred in late April in Jasonville that resulted in the death of Stephen Scott Wheeler and Greene County Prosecutor Jarrod Holtsclaw issued a statement releasing additional details about the incident and his conclusion that the officer was justified in using deadly force.

The following is the statement issued by Prosecutor Holtsclaw on Tuesday, May 24, 2022:

On the afternoon of April 29, 2022, Jasonville Police Chief Ryan Van Horn was dispatched to the Stephen Scott Wheeler residence on Washington Street in Jasonville.  The dispatch was made after a call was placed by a neighbor which alerted authorities that Wheeler was threatening citizens with a knife at this location.

As Chief Van Horn arrived near the Wheeler residence he spoke to individuals who confirmed that Wheeler was threatening people with a knife.  Chief Van Horn then parked on the street outside Wheeler’s home and exited his vehicle to speak with Wheeler, who at this time was sitting on his porch.  Upon Chief Van Horn trying to speak with Wheeler, Wheeler exited his porch, armed with a knife, and began to aggressively approach Chief Van Horn who remained near his vehicle in the street.

As Wheeler approached, Chief Van Horn tried to de-escalate the situation by ordering Wheeler to drop the knife on 15 occasions, by offering help to Wheeler and finally by backing away from Wheeler.  During the encounter Wheeler continuously yelled and cursed at Chief Van Horn, including telling Chief Van Horn that “I don’t care, shoot me” and later stated that he doesn’t care anymore and that he would shoot himself if he had a gun.  Despite being ordered repeatedly to drop the knife, Wheeler continued to advance toward Chief Van Horn while raising and pointing the knife at him.  Finally, Wheeler made it to Chief Van Horn’s vehicle, where he again raised the knife and then charged at Chief Van Horn.   Chief Van Horn tooks steps backward and then fired one shot that struck Wheeler from a distance of approximately 6 feet.  Wheeler then stopped, turned around, walked back several steps where he then faced Chief Van Horn again and raised his knife.  Wheeler then fell to the ground.  Chief Van Horn then called for EMS and then began to provide assistance to Wheeler.  Wheeler later died from the single gunshot wound to his chest.

An investigation of the incident was conducted by the Indiana State Police.  The entire incident was recorded on Chief Van Horn’s body worn camera.  Interviews were also conducted with several citizens who witnessed some or all of the incident.  Chief Van Horn was interviewed as well.

Under Indiana Code 35-41-3-2, a person is justified in using deadly force and does not have a duty to retreat if the person reasonably believes that the force is necessary to prevent serious bodily injury or death to the person or a third person.  Further, under Indiana Code 35-41-3-3, a law enforcement officer is justified in using deadly force if the officer has probable cause to believe that deadly force is necessary to prevent the commission of a forcible felony or to effect an arrest of a person who the officer has probable cause to believe poses a threat of serious bodily injury to the officer or a third person and the officer has given a warning, if feasible, to the person against whom the deadly force is to be used.