No Charges To Be Filed In Fatal Police Shooting In Manchester
Posted
David Slone-dslone@timesuniononline.com
WABASH – Wabash County Prosecutor William C. Hartley Jr. has decided that no criminal charges will be brought against North Manchester Police Department officer Parker Stouffer who was involved in a deadly police shooting March 6.
The Indiana State Police investigated events surrounding the shooting death of Michael A. Kline, 40, and then submitted its findings to the prosecutor’s office for review.
The shooting occurred at the Eel River Inn, 1601 Ind. 114, North Manchester.
A news release issued by Hartley’s office said, “After a thorough review of this case, it is clear that Officer Stouffer was justified in using deadly force as it is reasonable to believe that the force was necessary to prevent serious bodily injury to himself or the other officers in the immediate area. Accordingly, no criminal charges will be filed in this matter.”
After considering interviews and other evidence, including an autopsy report, toxicology report, photographs, video, “the totality of the evidence establishes this incident as a legally justifiable shooting by law enforcement,” the press release said.
The incident began at about 6 p.m. March 6, when Stouffer initiated a traffic stop near the intersection of Ind. 13 and Ind. 114 in North Manchester involving a pickup truck driven by Kline, a North Manchester resident, for traffic infractions.
Kline eventually pulled into the Eel River Inn parking lot and Stouffer made contact with Kline and the other two occupants of Kline’s truck. At about that time, NMPD officer Nate Birch arrived with his canine partner and a decision was made to run the canine around the vehicle during the course of the traffic stop. The occupants were asked to exit the vehicle before the dog was deployed, the release states.
As Kline exited his truck, he drew a handgun and pointed it at the officers. Stouffer then responded by shooting Kline.
Kline was pronounced dead at the scene. He was found in possession of a loaded 9 mm handgun. During a search of his truck, methamphetamines and other drug-related items were found.
An autopsy later found that Kline had amphetamines, methamphetamine and marijuana in his system, the release said.
