07/27/2026
STATEMENT REGARDING THE JULY 21, 2026 ROADWAY SHOOTING
On July 21, 2026, between approximately 3:30 and 4:00 p.m., a Volkswagen Jetta occupied by a male driver and a female passenger was traveling from Marion County into Hancock County. A Dodge Journey, driven by an adult male, was traveling behind the Volkswagen along the same route. There is no evidence that the occupants of the Volkswagen knew the driver of the Dodge Journey or had interacted with him before this encounter.
The Hancock County Sheriff’s Department responded to the incident and immediately began an investigation to determine what had occurred.
The investigation included statements from multiple witnesses, video recordings, forensic evidence, physical evidence from the scene and vehicles, and other information developed during the investigation. The factual conclusions described below are based upon the totality of that evidence rather than the account of any single participant or witness.
During the drive, the Dodge began following the Volkswagen at an extremely close distance. Witnesses estimated that the Dodge was less than one foot behind the Volkswagen and may have been as close as six inches.
The vehicles then entered a construction zone in western Hancock County. Because of traffic controls within the construction zone, both vehicles came to a stop. The following events occurred within a matter of seconds.
The driver of the Dodge exited his vehicle, aggressively approached the Volkswagen, and initiated a confrontation with its occupants. During that confrontation, the Dodge driver threatened bodily harm to the Volkswagen driver.
The Dodge driver began walking back toward his own vehicle but then turned and came back toward the Volkswagen. The Volkswagen driver exited his vehicle while armed with a handgun.
As the Dodge driver approached, the Volkswagen driver told him: “I wouldn’t do that. Don’t do that. Go back to your car.”
The Dodge driver continued advancing toward the Volkswagen driver. The Volkswagen driver then fired several shots, striking the Dodge driver in the front and side of his body. There is no evidence that the Volkswagen driver ever left the immediate area of his vehicle or approached the Dodge.
The Dodge driver retreated to his vehicle, where he later died. The Volkswagen driver called 911 and reported that he had shot someone.
An independent eyewitness who did not know either participant was nearby and observed the incident. According to that witness, the Dodge stopped only inches behind the Volkswagen. The Dodge driver then immediately exited his vehicle and pointed his finger into the Volkswagen’s window.
The witness heard the Dodge driver tell the Volkswagen driver: “You shouldn’t be driving on my road that fast, mother******.” along with additional statements.
The witness described the Dodge driver’s demeanor as: “Very hostile, very hostile.”
The witness also heard the Dodge driver say:
“Oh, you gonna get your gun? You afraid? You gonna get your gun? Well, come on, get out.”
The witness observed the two men come face-to-face. When describing the encounter, the witness stated: “If I was put in that predicament, if I was the guy in the Volkswagen, I would have been scared for my life.”
The material portions of this independent eyewitness’s account are corroborated by the observations of other witnesses and by evidence collected during the investigation. The witness’s description of the encounter is not contradicted by any witness statement, video recording, forensic evidence, physical evidence, or other information developed during the investigation.
Indiana Code § 35-41-3-2(c) provides, in relevant part: A person is justified in using reasonable force against any other person to protect the person or a third person from what the person reasonably believes to be the imminent use of unlawful force. However, a person is justified in using deadly force and does not have a duty to retreat if the person reasonably believes that deadly force is necessary to prevent serious bodily injury to the person or a third person or to prevent the commission of a forcible felony. No person, employer, or estate of a person in this state shall be placed in legal jeopardy of any kind whatsoever for protecting the person or a third person by reasonable means necessary.
The evidence in this case establishes that the Dodge driver followed the Volkswagen at an extraordinarily close distance; exited his vehicle and initiated the confrontation; aggressively approached the occupied Volkswagen; threatened bodily harm; challenged the Volkswagen driver to retrieve a firearm and exit the vehicle; briefly turned toward his own vehicle; and then renewed his approach despite repeated verbal warnings to stop and return to his vehicle.
The decision whether to file criminal charges must be based upon the complete body of evidence and the law governing self-defense.
After reviewing the evidence developed during this investigation and applying Indiana Code § 35-41-3-2 to the facts established by that evidence, the State has determined that no criminal charges will be filed against the driver of the Volkswagen arising from this incident.
