RIPLEY COUNTY, IN — An Indiana State Police trooper and a Ripley County Sheriff’s deputy who fatally shot a man while responding to a domestic dispute last fall near Sunman were justified in their actions, according to findings from Ripley County Prosecutor Ric Hertel.
He released findings on Friday of his review into the deadly police action shooting of 37-year-old Joshua Ebinger of Holton.
Police were called to a home on East County Road 900 North on October 10, 2021, on a report of a domestic dispute between Ebinger and a woman who had a restraining order on him.
ISP says the woman inside the home with Ebinger called 911 saying he had a gun.
Two Ripley County Sheriff’s deputies, a state trooper, and a Versailles Police officer responded.
Shortly the woman left the home and was taken to safety, police say Ebinger exited the home with a handgun and was given numerous commands to drop the weapon.
Investigators say he pointed the gun at police and continued to ignore officers’ commands.
Two shots were fired at Ebinger who died at the scene.
None of the officers were injured.
State Police say the entire episode was captured on body camera by one of the troopers.
Hertel said the officers were justified in the use of deadly force under two separate legal jurisdictions because Ebinger created an immediate and potentially deadly threat to police.
