Body camera shows police-involved shooting at Colerain Township Kroger

The Hamilton County Prosecutor and police shared body camera footage of the shooting at a Colerain Township Kroger last week.

Hamilton County Prosecutor Melissa Powers announced that the three officers involved in the shooting will not face charges.

See body camera footage in the video player above. Please note, these images may be graphic in nature.

The prosecutor and Colerain police chief pointed to portions of the body camera where the suspect can be seen pointing a gun at officers during the incident.

Asked about the dangers of officers engaging in a gunfight in the store with nearby bystanders, Powers and the police chief said officers are trained for situations like this and that no bystanders were injured.

“I want to commend the Colerain Township Police, especially Officers Huntington and Meinking, for their courage during this incident. Their quick and confrontational action saved lives and prevented what could have been a terrible tragedy,” he said. Powers said.

The update comes a week after a shooting at a Colerain Township Kroger store caused chaos among shoppers and injured a bystander.

According to Powers, Joseph Van Niman, 42, was indicted on a dozen charges, including attempted murder, felonious assault, carrying concealed weapons, possessing weapons while under disability , possession of criminal tools and one count of inciting panic.

Powers said if convicted, he could face up to 76 to 81 1/2 years in prison.

According to Powers, it all started Wednesday when Colerain Township police officers were in the middle of a drug investigation on Colerain Avenue and Springdale Road.

During the investigation, officers said they saw Van Niman involved in what they believed to be drug dealing. Powers said the officers, identified as Colerain Officers Brian Huntington and Jordan Meinking, followed him as he crossed the street and entered the parking lot of the Kroger store.

According to Powers, when the officers ordered him to stop, Van Niman turned toward the officers with a gun and “took a shooting stance.”

That's when Powers said the officers drew their guns and Van Niman ran into the store and hid near the entrance with his firearm still drawn.

Powers said Van Niman and police exchanged gunfire, with Van Niman coming out several times, pointing his firearm at the officers.

Powers said Officer Anthony Hatcher, who was working undercover, approached through another entrance.

Van Niman attempted to move deeper into the store as other officers approached, but was shot by one of the officers and fell to the ground, Powers said. He was taken into custody and given life-saving measures.

“I want to commend the Colerain Township Police, especially Officers Huntington and Meinking, for their courage during this incident. Their quick and confrontational action saved lives and prevented what could have been a terrible tragedy,” he said. Powers said.

A passerby was hit by shrapnel during the shooting. The bystander and Van Niman were taken to hospital for treatment.

Van Niman remains in hospital in stable condition.