SEYMOUR, Ind. – The Jackson County Prosecuting Attorney’s findings were released Friday regarding an officer-involved shooting on November 1, 2020, in Seymour, that resulted in the death of Jason S. Cline.
The investigation, conducted by the Indiana State Police, determined that an employee from the Walmart store on US 50 contacted the Seymour Police Department (SPD) that evening and said an adult male, later identified as Cline, had stolen a cart of merchandise.
Officers Blake McCrary and Cody Teltow, of SPD, responded and located Cline, with the stolen merchandise, near the Speedway Gas Station. Cline fled on foot and was soon found in a ditch.
As Officer Teltow was trying to place Cline into custody, the suspect allegedly pointed a handgun at Teltow. Both officers then fired their weapons at Cline, who was struck by ten rounds. It was later determined that the handgun Cline possessed had recently been stolen, and also that he faced a lengthy prison term if caught due to his status as a serious violent felon in possession of a firearm.
Cline was given immediate medical attention and taken to Schneck Medical Center, where he died.
The case was presented to Jackson County Prosecutor Jeffrey Chalfant for review and in summary, he stated, “Considering all available evidence, it is clear that the use of deadly force by Officers McCrary and Teltow was justifiable in defense of themselves and each other given the actual deadly force threat posed by Jason Cline. There is no criminal liability on the part of McCrary and Teltow.”
