Indiana

Officers won't be charged after deadly shooting of Benton Harbor abduction suspect

Charges won’t be filed against the two police officers who shot and killed a man after he reportedly kidnapped a woman and held her hostage at a hotel in Benton Harbor, Mich.

Michael Sepic, Berrien County Prosecutor, announced Thursday, Feb. 25, that he will not seek charges against the officers who shot and killed 44-year-old Marcus Meridy on Nov. 18, our news partners ABC 57 reported.

Police said that Meridy abducted his estranged wife from her work place on Nov. 18, took her to the American Inn Hotel in Benton Harbor and sexually assaulted her. 

A negotiator spoke on the phone with Meridy for about 30 minutes, but officers said they entered the hotel room after hearing a gunshot wound. They found Meridy standing with a gun in his hand and he shot at them. Two officers fired back, hitting Meridy nine times.

Meridy died at the scene.

Sepic said that, after reviewing police reports and lab analysis, it was apparent to him that the officers acted in self-defense.

The woman was found tied up in the hotel room with a gunshot wound to her harm. She survived.

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