The shooting by a Madison County officer has been ruled justified

ANDERSON, Ind. — A Madison County Sheriff’s Office deputy was found to be justified in using his weapon in the officer’s shooting of an Indianapolis man earlier this month in Anderson.

According to a press release from the Madison County Prosecutor’s Office, officials found that law enforcement’s “use of deadly force” in the June 1 incident in Anderson was justified.

On the evening of June 1, 44-year-old Lataurus Harrison was shot in a vehicle after he reportedly refused to comply with officers’ commands. The documents say Harrison allegedly pulled a gun from his pocket and raised it toward deputies after he “failed to comply with 26 loud, verbal commands” from law enforcement.

According to the release, Madison County Sheriff’s Office officers attempted to apprehend Harrison after he reportedly 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 they gave Harrison 18 “loud, verbal commands” over the course of about 1.5 minutes to show his hands. Multiple commands were also given to Harrison to remove his hands from his pockets. The release stated that officers were trying to gain entry to the vehicle, which was locked.

After Harrison reportedly refused to open the vehicle, law enforcement attempted to gain entry to the vehicle by breaking the window. Once the window was shattered, a deputy observed Harrison pull a black handgun from his pocket and raise it toward the deputies.

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

The release said body-worn cameras did not capture the initial moment when Harrison pulled the gun from his pocket. However, officials stressed that the gun was visible “for several frames” when it was raised to the 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, the use of deadly force in self-defense and the defense of others was justified,” prosecutors officials said. “(The deputy’s) actions that day likely saved his life and/or the lives (of other officers on scene). Therefore, there is no basis for criminal charges for the use of deadly force.”

Officials said an investigation into the incident is ongoing, specifically how Harrison obtained the gun as a serious, violent criminal.