Lawrenceburg, In. — Ripley County prosecutor Ric Hertel, special prosecutor in a recent Sunman-area police action shooting, will file no charges against the officers involved.
Indiana State Trooper Jordan Craig and Dearborn County Sheriff’s Deputy Brian Weigel responded to the home Christopher Schmitt, 58, of Sunman, on the morning of January 12 for a domestic incident. Police immediately observed Schmitt struggle with his wife in the home.
Schmitt exited the home and pointed what appeared to be rifle at trooper Craig. Craig fired twice and Weigel fired four times.
Schmitt was struck four times, he was transported to Margaret Mary Health after officers performed first aid where he died.
Court documents say Schmitt suffered from dementia and told his wife that day,” this was his day to die.” Hertel believes Schmitt may have wanted police to shoot him.
Schmitt’s autopsy revealed he died from blood loss and had toxic concentrations of ethanol and hydrocodone with cyclobenzaprine, zolpidem, and alprazolam in his system.
The two officers have resumed normal duties.
