VIGO COUNTY, Ind. (WTWO/WAWV) — After a review of the evidence collected surrounding the shooting death of Christopher Fortin by two Terre Haute Police officers, the prosecutor has cleared them of any wrongdoing.
“Both Terre Haute Officers are cleared of any wrong-doing in the shooting of Christopher Fortin,” Vigo County Prosecutor Terry Modesitt said. “Mental illness, methamphetamine and guns – this combination of factors were all present when Mr. Fortin pulled a gun on Terre Haute Police Officers responding to an armed individual illegally inside a business. Unfortunately, these officers were called upon to respond with deadly force to protect themselves and one another.”
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Fortin died after being shot by police after he reportedly pointed a handgun at officers and refused commands to drop the weapon. This came after a two-hour long standoff involving the Terre Haute Police Department Special Response Team at the property of US Lawns on Fruitridge Avenue on July 25.
Modesitt said a review of surveillance and body camera footage showed what happened that day.
“After a lengthy standoff, Fortin climbed out of a south window of the business and began quickly moving across the parking lot. At that same time, two Terre Haute Police Officers, Neese and Pounds, approached Fortin and repeatedly told him to show them his hands and to get on the ground. Fortin disregarded all commands and pulled a silver handgun from his right pocket. He then raised the gun toward the officers and raised his left hand toward the gun, moving into a shooter’s stance. At that time, both officers fired multiple shots at Mr. Fortin.”
Modesitt said the shots were fired in response to a threat of deadly force from Fortin, making the shooting protected under Indiana law.
Investigation performed by Indiana State Police found that one officer involved fired his gun 11 times, while the other fired three shots.
“The law does not limit or try to define how much deadly force is appropriate,” Modesitt said. “Whether three shots or eleven shots, the deadly force used by the officers in this situation is legally protected.”
Read the prosecutor’s full statement below;
