***MEDIA ADVISORY***

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: January 27, 2014

GRAND JURY ISSUES NO INDICTMENTS RELATED TO MARION ST POLICE ACTION SHOOTING

Media Contact: Curtis T. Hill, Jr. (574) 296-1888

The morning of January 27, 2014 the Elkhart Circuit Court empanelled a six member grand jury to consider the facts and circumstances surrounding the fatal police shooting of Christopher Ryckeart, age 31 of Elkhart.

According to the Indiana State Police investigation, on the night of November 10, 2013 Mr. Ryckeart led police on a pursuit into the state of Michigan and back into the city of Elkhart, eluding numerous efforts by police officers to stop the pursuit. At a residential area on Marion St, Mr. Ryckeart operated the truck he was driving in a manner that reportedly posed a threat to police officers surrounding the vehicle on foot.  At that point Ptlm. Dan Mayer, Cpl. Jason Ray, and Ptlm. Jason Gruber, all of the Elkhart Police Department, fired shots striking Christopher Ryckeart and resulting in his death.

After considering evidence collected through an Indiana State Police investigation, the grand jury returned to Elkhart Circuit Court where Judge Terry Shewmaker read the verdict of “no bill”. A “no bill” finding means no criminal charges will be filed against any of the three officers for their conduct during the shooting.

Under Indiana law, all grand jury proceedings are confidential.

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“Under Indiana law, all persons arrested for a criminal offense are innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.”