Officer Involved shooting at Karl King Tower ruled justified

SOUTH BEND, Ind. — A deadly police shooting at South Bend’s Karl King Tower has been ruled justified by St. Joseph County Prosecutor Ken Cotter following an investigation completed by the Mishawaka Police Department and SJCPD into Tuesday’s police response to a reported stabbing at the apartment complex. 

“It’s a very sad day when anyone dies, but it doesn’t mean anyone is criminally liable,” Cotter said during a press conference Thursday. 

The suspect shot and killed by police was identified as 55-year-old Christopher Chester. Authorities say Chester had been staying at the apartment with a woman he had been in a relationship with. That woman was being held hostage in the bathroom at the time of the incident. 

She later told investigators that Chester had taken drugs and became violent, stabbing a second woman in the hand. 

That woman has reportedly fled the state but has been accounted for.  

A toxicology report is still pending. 

Police were initially called to the scene for the stabbing. Upon arrival, they were informed that Chester was still inside the apartment and armed with both a hammer and a knife. 

Police say they negotiated with Chester for an hour and even brought him the McDonald’s he asked for.  

Before obtaining a search warrant to enter the apartment, body cam footage shows Chester charging at them with a hammer.  

Audio reveals 8 shots were fired by 2 officers.  

One officer attempted to use a Taser, which malfunctioned. Another deployed pepper balls. 

Despite immediate attempts to render aid, Chester succumbed to his injuries.  

The South Bend Police Department has confirmed that an internal investigation into the incident is still ongoing. 

A representative of the Department told ABC57 a total of six officers were placed on administrative leave in the aftermath of the incident.  

Four of those officers are able to return based on their comfort level.  

Two other officers, who fired their weapons, will remain on leave as they navigate our process to be cleared for duty.