Indiana State Police requested to investigate officer involved shooting in Rochester

Saturday, November 23, 2024 at 4:05 PM

The Indiana State Police, at the request of the Rochester Police Department and the Fulton County Sheriff's Office, is investigating a police-involved shooting in which a Rochester man died.

The preliminary investigation by Indiana State Police detectives revealed that today, at approximately 10:48 a.m., members of the Rochester Police Department and Fulton County Sheriff's Office responded to a residence on Monroe St. for a report of a domestic disturbance involving a firearm.

When officers arrived at the residence, a male subject identified as Steven T. Harding, 37, Rochester, IN, was located inside, armed with a firearm and pointing it in the direction of the officer. An officer and a deputy discharged their duty weapon(s) at least once, striking Mr. Harding.

Despite life-saving measures, Mr. Harding succumbed to his injuries and was pronounced deceased at the scene. Notification to Mr. Harding's family has been made.

There were no officers injured in the incident. The officer and deputy involved in the shooting will be placed on administrative leave pending the outcome of the investigation. This is standard operating procedure for the Rochester Police Department and Fulton County Sheriff's Office when an officer is involved in a shooting.

The Indiana State Police is the lead agency in this investigation, assisted by the Fulton County Coroner's Office and the Fulton County Prosecutor's Office.

This remains an active and ongoing investigation. No further information will be released at this time.

Upon completion of the investigation, the findings will be provided to the Fulton County Prosecutor's Office for review.