Mishawaka police justified in shooting man dead: prosecutors

MISHAWAKA, Ind. (AP) - A northern Indiana police officer was justified in fatally shooting a man during a recent standoff at a mobile home park, prosecutors said Friday.

Mishawaka Officer Garrett Schock shot and killed 37-year-old Michael Haas after he fired at Schock. The shooting, which was investigated by the South Bend Police Department's Violent Crimes Unit, has been ruled a justifiable homicide by the the St. Joseph County Prosecutor's Office, the South Bend Tribune reported.

'œSince the prosecutor's office cannot prove that the officer who shot Mr. Haas was not acting in self-defense or defense of others due to a reasonable fear of imminent death or significant bodily injury, charges will not be filed,'ť prosecutors said in a news release.

Mishawaka officers were called to the Village Green Mobile Park Home on Jan. 31 for reports of a man threatening people with a shotgun while walking around the neighborhood. and a standoff ensued.

The man shot at the officers, prompting one of the Mishawaka police officers to return fire, striking the man.

Haas was taken to a hospital and died from his injuries.