Prosecutor: South Bend officer justified in firing weapon; woman arrested in connection with incident

SOUTH BEND, Ind. (WNDU) - The St. Joseph County Prosecutor’s Office has determined that a South Bend police officer was legally justified in firing his weapon after a woman allegedly pointed a gun at him over the weekend.

Officers were called to the 1400 block of E. Donald Street around 11 p.m. Sunday night on reports of a woman shooting a handgun outside.

Responding South Bend Officer Jacob Hasbrook arrived on scene and began to walk toward the home in question when the front door opened and Jacquise Mickens, 32, allegedly pointed a handgun at the approaching officer. Hasbrook responded by discharging his weapon twice before taking cover behind a tree. None of the bullets hit Mickens.

Authorities surrounded the home and demanded that Mickens exit. She complied, and authorities claim she “appeared to have an unsteady balance and slurred speech, and was yelling at officers.” Officers cleared the residence and located three children. Mickens was unable to give a coherent statement to the police after being detained.

A witness claims that Mickens was in the roadway firing at multiple neighboring homes before returning to her own home prior to the conflict. Crime scene technicians recovered ballistic evidence, such as 9mm casings, as well as damaged asphalt from a neighboring home due to bullet defects. A comparison of the handgun Mickens owns to the shell casings recovered on scene is underway.

The St. Joseph County Prosecutor’s Office says the investigation revealed that Hasbrook’s response was justified due to a reasonable fear of death or injury. As a result, no criminal charges will be filed against him.

Mickens faces one count of criminal recklessness and one count of pointing a firearm at a police officer, both of which are level six felonies. The sentencing range for a level six felony is six months to two-and-a-half years.

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