St. Joseph County prosecutors have ruled that the officer-involved shooting in South Bend today that left a 35-year-old man dead was a justified homicide under Indiana law. The county review found that the officers who fired did so in self-defense or to protect others after a confrontation at the scene, clearing them of criminal charges and kicking the case over to internal departmental reviews.
In a case update shared on social media, the prosecutor’s office said it reviewed witness statements, forensic evidence, and both audio and video footage before reaching its conclusion. According to the South Bend Police Department, the office cited Indiana Code I.C. 35-41-3-2(c) as the statutory basis for its decision and confirmed that no criminal charges will be filed. Prosecutors also said family members of the man who died were invited to review the footage as part of the process.
What Happened The Night Of The Shooting
Officers were called shortly after 9 p.m. on June 16 to the 400 block of Corby Boulevard for a report of an “unwanted person.” Investigators say the man, identified as 35-year-old Jujaun Bates, was believed to be armed and to be in violation of an active protective order. Authorities say Bates left the immediate area while officers tried several different tactics to stop him. Shots were ultimately fired near Stanfield and Howard Street, and Bates was taken to a hospital, where he later died. Early coverage documented the crime scene and noted that the investigation had been turned over to the county prosecutor’s office, according to WNDu.
Neighbors told reporters there was a heavy police presence in the neighborhood and said Bates was walking when officers tried to get him to stop. Local reporting also noted that the St. Joseph County Police Department led the criminal investigation, with Mishawaka police assisting in collecting evidence. Those details helped set the stage for the prosecutor’s later written update, South Bend Tribune coverage reported.
How The Shooting Unfolded And Officers' Status
According to the county’s summary of the case, officers first tried less-lethal options. They deployed Tasers and pepper-ball rounds, which prosecutors say had little to no effect. After crossing Howard Street, Bates fired his revolver into the air, according to the review. Prosecutors say three South Bend patrol officers then fired their duty weapons and struck Bates, and a loaded revolver was recovered at the scene.
The update identified the officers who discharged their weapons as Patrolman Jeremiah Hooks, Patrolman Matthew Hegedus-Stewart, and Patrolman Evan Eckelbarger. All three were placed on administrative leave while the South Bend Police Department conducts its own internal review of the incident.
Legal Basis And What Comes Next
The prosecutor’s written decision leans on Indiana Code I.C. 35-41-3-2(c), which is described as the state’s statutory foundation for the use of deadly force when a person reasonably believes it is necessary to prevent serious bodily harm, according to the Indiana General Assembly. Based on that standard, the office concluded the officers’ actions met the threshold for justified deadly force.
With that, the criminal review is officially closed and no charges will be filed. The next phase now shifts inside the department: the South Bend Police Department’s internal affairs unit will conduct a separate review to determine whether officers followed policy, procedure, and training protocols, according to WNDu.
Mental-Health Response And Unanswered Questions
Officials noted that the city’s mobile crisis partner does not respond to calls when firearms or other weapons are reported to be present, a limitation prosecutors pointed to while outlining what options were actually on the table that night. The county says family members were shown video during the review, and the department has released at least one body-worn camera clip that officials say gives a clearer view of the moments leading up to the shooting.
The criminal finding ends the prosecutor’s role for now, but it does not end the story for the community. Residents and local officials say they expect the internal affairs review, and any resulting recommendations on policy or training, to be the next major developments watched closely in South Bend.
