Madison County officer-involved shooting ruled justified

ANDERSON, Ind. — A Madison County Sheriff's Department deputy was found justified in using his weapon during an officer-involved shooting of an Indianapolis man earlier this month in Anderson.

According to a news release from the Madison County Prosecutor's Office, officials believed law enforcement “was justified in using deadly force” during the June 1 incident in Anderson.

On the evening of June 1, Lataurus Harrison, 44, was shot to death in a vehicle after allegedly refusing to comply with officers' commands. The documents state Harrison allegedly pulled a handgun from his pocket and raised it toward deputies after “disobeying 26 loud verbal commands” from law enforcement.

According to the release, deputies with the Madison County Sheriff's Office were attempting to apprehend Harrison after he escaped from house arrest in Indianapolis. After obtaining a search warrant, officers found Harrison in the driver's seat of a white 2012 Chevrolet Impala.

Deputies said that over the next 1.5 minutes, they gave Harrison 18 “verbal and loud commands” to show his hands. Several orders were also given to Harrison to take his hands out of his pockets. The release said officers attempted to enter the vehicle, which was locked.

After Harrison allegedly refused to unlock the vehicle, law enforcement attempted to enter the vehicle by breaking the window. As the window was broken, a deputy saw Harrison pull a black handgun from his pocket and raise it toward the deputies.

“(The deputy) fired 10 shots into the vehicle, seven of which (hit) Harrison,” the release states.

The release said body-worn cameras did not capture the initial moment Harrison retrieved the handgun from his pocket. But officials pointed out that the handgun could be seen “in multiple images” when it was shown to deputies.

After being shot, Harrison was taken to a local hospital where he was later pronounced dead. A search of the vehicle revealed a black Taurus G2C 9mm semi-automatic handgun loaded with five rounds of ammunition, as well as a box of ammunition and a knife.

“Under any reasonable application of the law to these facts, law enforcement was justified in using deadly force to defend itself and others,” officials with the district attorney’s office said. “(The deputy’s) actions that day likely saved his life and/or the lives of (the other officers on scene).” Therefore, no criminal charges are warranted for the use of deadly force.

Officials said the investigation into the incident is ongoing, particularly into how Harrison obtained the handgun as a violent and serious felon.