We now know more about what led to a South Bend officer shooting a suspect this week.
The St. Joseph County Metro Homicide Unit held a press conference Thursday to explain their side of what happened before and after officer Samuel Chaput shot 27-year-old Terrence Eppinger.
Alex Arendt, Assistant Commander with the County Metro Homicide Unit, says the shooting happened during a struggle Chaput had with Eppinger, who reportedly refused to stop attacking him.
Chaput, fearing for his life, reached for his taser while Eppinger was on top of him, but couldn’t reach it. Instead, he pulled out his gun and shot Eppinger in the “lower torso,” according to investigators.
Eppinger is still in critical condition, Chaput has been treated and released.
No charges have been filed yet on Eppinger.
Chaput will not be charged in the shooting.
