MUNCIE — Delaware County Prosecutor Eric Hoffman has ruled that a Muncie police officer was legally justified in fatally shooting an armed man during an August standoff.
Jessie Robinson, 35, was shot and killed by a Muncie SWAT officer on August 3 after firing at least 28 rounds from his backyard toward neighboring homes and police officers.
The prosecutor's office released a detailed report concluding the shooting was justified under Indiana law for self-defense, defense of others, and lawful arrest.
The incident began around 6:23 p.m. when multiple 911 calls reported gunshots in the area of 23rd Street and Mock Avenue. When officers arrived, they heard additional gunshots with bullets hitting trees and debris around them. Robinson fired from the back patio of his home at 2104 East 23rd Street, with bullets striking three different properties.
Multiple officers surrounded Robinson's home and repeatedly gave verbal commands over a loudspeaker for him to surrender peacefully.
According to court documents, Robinson reportedly responded, "F*** that" and ignored all commands. Police negotiators called Robinson's cell phone eight times, but he never answered. Officers watched Robinson start a fire using gasoline, operate a chainsaw, and walk around his front yard with a handgun.
Robinson eventually knelt in his front yard and began manually loading a live round into the chamber of his 9mm Taurus handgun. When he raised the weapon, a SWAT officer fired one shot from a rifle, striking Robinson in the chest. He died at the hospital.
The prosecutor's report revealed Robinson had a blood alcohol level of 0.199, more than twice the legal driving limit. He was a convicted felon who police said illegally purchased the handgun in September 2024 by lying on federal forms. Crime scene investigators found 28 spent shell casings, all fired from Robinson's weapon.
Prosecutor Hoffman concluded the shooting met all legal standards for justified use of deadly force, noting Robinson posed an imminent threat to officers and civilians.
"Robinson was a menace to the people living in the area and posed a substantial clear and present danger to police officers as well as the public at large," Hoffman wrote.
No criminal charges will be filed against the officer. Indiana State Police conducted the investigation.
