Madison County fatal police shooting of Lataurus Harrison was found justified, bodycam released

A deputy with the Madison County Sheriff’s Department has been found justified in using his weapon during an officer-involved shooting of an Indianapolis man earlier this month in Anderson.

According to a news release from the Madison County Prosecutor’s Office, officials found that law enforcement “was justified in using deadly force” during the incident on June 1 in Anderson.

On the evening of June 1, 44-year-old Lataurus Harrison was shot in a vehicle after he reportedly refused to comply with officer commands. The documents said that Harrison reportedly drew a handgun from his pocket and raised it toward deputies after he “disobeyed 26 loud, verbal commands” from law enforcement.

According to the release, deputies with the Madison County Sheriff’s Office were attempting to apprehend Harrison after he reportedly escaped home detention in Indianapolis. After obtaining a search warrant, deputies found Harrison in the driver’s seat of a white 2012 Chevrolet Impala.

Deputies said in the next 1.5 minutes or so, they gave 18 “loud, verbal commands” for Harrison to show his hands. Multiple commands were also given for Harrison to get his hands out of his pockets. The release said that deputies attempted to enter the vehicle, which was locked.

After Harrison reportedly refused to unlock the vehicle, law enforcement attempted to enter the vehicle by breaking the window. As the window was being broken, a deputy saw Harrison pull out a black handgun from his pocket and raise it to deputies.

“(The deputy) fired 10 rounds inside the vehicle, seven of which (struck) Harrison,” the release said.

The release said that body-worn cameras did not capture the initial moment Harrison retrieved the handgun from his pocket. But, officials stressed that the handgun could be seen “for several frames” as it was raised to deputies.

After he was shot, Harrison was taken to a local hospital, where he was later pronounced dead. A search of the vehicle uncovered a black Taurus G2C 9mm semi-automatic handgun loaded with five rounds of ammunition, as well as a box of ammunition and a knife.

“Under any reasonable application of the law to these facts, law enforcement was justified in using deadly force as self-defense and the defense of others,” officials with the prosecutor’s office said. “(The deputy’s) actions that day likely saved his life and/or the lives of (the other officers on scene). Therefore, no criminal charges are warranted for the use of deadly force.”

Officials said that the investigation into the incident is ongoing, specifically into how Harrison obtained the handgun as a serious, violent felon.