(North Vernon, IN) – The Jennings County Prosecutor’s Office has determined that North Vernon police and Jennings County deputies were justified in using deadly force after they shot and killed a 23-year-old woman in April.
Prosecutor Brian Belding says, in a report issued on Saturday, that a review of the incident is complete, and after considering the evidence gathered by detectives from the Indiana State Police Versailles Post, an officer and a deputy had the the right to defend themselves when Danielle Rachel Blake refused to comply with orders to drop a knife.
Police were called to an apartment in North Vernon on a report of a disturbance, and encountered Blake, who was acting erratically and threatening people with a golf club.
Officers intended to take her to a hospital for a mental health evaluation.
The report says while officers tried to talk to Blake, she picked up a large knife and went into a bathroom. Police tried to disarm Blake and fired several Tasers in an attempt to bring her under control. But when she raised the knife, Blake advanced in a menacing manner and told a deputy, “I will kick you!”
A North Vernon officer and a Jennings County deputy opened fire with their duty weapons.
The officers provided first aid and medics arrived and provided advanced medical treatment, but Blake was pronounced dead at the scene by the Jennings County Coroner.
ISP detectives were called to investigate.
In his report, Belding concluded the officers were justified in defending themselves and that there is no criminal liability on their part.
Original story published April 10, ,2024 —
(North Vernon, IN) – Detectives with the Indiana State Police-Versailles Post are investigating an officer involved shooting in North Vernon.
Troopers say shortly after 7 p.m. Tuesday, North Vernon Police officers and Jennings County Sheriff’s deputies responded to a disturbance at a home, where law enforcement encountered 23-yaer-old Rachel Blake inside a bathroom holding a large knife.
The officers repeatedly ordered her to drop the knife and they used tasers in an attempt to disarm her.
ISP says Blake approached the officers with the knife. Two North Vernon officers fired and struck Blake at least once.
Officers immediately administered first aid, and EMS was called to provide advanced medical treatment.
Blake was soon pronounced dead at the scene by the Jennings County Coroner.
The North Vernon Police Department and Jennings County Sheriff’s Office requested that ISP detectives respond to the scene to conduct the investigation.
All involved officers have been placed on administrative leave per their department policies.
The investigation is ongoing and when it concludes, the case will be presented to the Jennings County Prosecutor’s Office for review.
