Indiana firefighter who shot neighbor 4 times will not face charges, says prosecutor
The entire altercation was captured on video.
— -- An Indianapolis firefighter who shot his neighbor four times in the chest after a dispute over a fence acted in self-defense and will not face charges, the Johnson County Prosecutor's Office said.
The shooting was captured on video, which was released by the prosecutor's office and shows firefighter Dean Keller and his neighbor Jeffrey Weigle engaged in a heated argument on June 27 along a "small section of fence which ran along Dean Keller's property line," the office said in a statement.
The office said the situation escalated when Weigle "adjust[ed] a portion of the fence," drove away on his lawnmower, then, when Keller approached the fence, reversed the mower and drew a gun from his pocket.
"Upon seeing Weigle's handgun, Keller drew his handgun and fired at Weigle," the prosecutor's office said, adding that Weigle fired back.
"Given the aggression shown by Weigle ... it was reasonable for Keller to believe deadly force was necessary to prevent serious bodily injury to himself and/or his wife, who was standing nearby," the statement added.
The prosecutor's office added that it will still be determined if Weigle will face charges, "if and when he recovers." More than a week after the shooting, he remains in critical condition.
Michael J. Kyle, Keller's attorney, told ABC News in a statement that Keller "is a respected fireman who is praying that his neighbor, Mr. Weigle, will survive and live a long, full life."
"However, Dean does not regret defending himself, his wife, his family and his property against this neighbor, whose escalating erratic behavior culminated with Mr. Weigle drawing a weapon in an unprovoked and aggressive manner against Dean and his wife," Kyle added, saying that Keller "acted reasonably under the circumstances" and is "looking forward to moving beyond this event."
The neighbors have argued more than a dozen times in the last eight years over issues ranging from the location of the fence to Keller's dogs, according to Chief Deputy Randy Werden of the Johnson County Sheriff's Office.