***MEDIA ADVISORY***

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: January 21, 2014

GRAND JURY COMPLETES REVIEW OF FATAL POLICE SHOOTING OF JOSEPH LEE, NO INDICTMENTS ISSUED

Media Contact: Curtis T. Hill, Jr. (574) 296-1888

In the afternoon hours of September 23, 2014, officers of the Elkhart Police Department (EPD) were briefed regarding active warrants for one Joseph Lee who had been charged with shooting a teenager in Mishawaka in addition to charges of domestic abuse in Elkhart County, and he was considered to be armed and dangerous.

Information was received that Lee may be at a family member’s residence in the Washington Gardens apartment complex in the City of Elkhart. Several officers proceeded to that area where Lee was observed sitting on a couch inside the suspected apartment. Upon officers knocking at the door, Lee fled upstairs in the apartment. Officers began clearing the residence of other occupants, including several children, as Lee opened fire with a handgun. Two officers inside the apartment returned fire then exited the apartment due to the dangerous circumstances. Lee was observed in an upstairs window, again pointing a handgun, at which time an EPD officer fired multiple rounds at Lee. Lee then fled the subject apartment, running through common areas of Washington Gardens. One EPD officer continued firing upon Lee as he ran, striking him and causing him to fall to the ground. Multiple officers converged and demanded Lee show his hands as he was still conscious, moving, and armed. Officers then sought cover, shouting commands for Lee to give up and show his hands. However, instead of submitting to the officers’ commands, Lee raised his arm and fired his weapon at officers again. In response, seven EPD officers fired their weapons at Lee striking him approximately twenty times resulting in his death. Although numerous fragments were recovered from Lee’s body at autopsy, the source of the fatal shots could not be determined due to the damage to the bullets. Additionally, toxicology testing revealed that Lee had Methamphetamine and Marijuana in his system. Lee had a .22 caliber handgun in his hand which had also been damaged by the officers’ gunfire.

The Prosecuting Attorney of Elkhart County requested the Circuit Court convene a Grand Jury to review the facts and circumstances surrounding the use of deadly force by all seven officers, namely: Patrolman Daniel Mayer, Corporal Drew Neese, Corporal Jason Runyan, Corporal Alan Williamson, Corporal Michael Price, Corporal Brandon Roundtree, and Corporal Jason Walsh. The use of a Grand Jury to review this type of case is common and allows members of the public to assist the Prosecuting Attorney in evaluating the reasonableness of behavior based upon community standards. Grand Jury proceedings are confidential under the laws of Indiana. At approximately 3:00 p.m. this afternoon, the Grand Jury advised the Court that there would be no indictments issued.

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“Under Indiana law, all persons arrested for a criminal offense are innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.”