Officers' actions deemed 'appropriate and necessary' in fatal officer-involved shooting in Rochester

'…the actions of Officer Haines and Deputy Haney were entirely consistent with law enforcement training and procedures involving the necessary use of lethal force.'

The Fulton County Prosecutor's Office has concluded its review of an officer-involved shooting in Rochester that resulted in the death of 37-year-old Steven Harding.

According to a press release from the prosecutor's office, it has been determined that the actions of the two officers involved were appropriate and necessary.

The incident was investigated by the Indiana State Police, which is standard procedure for any officer-involved shooting involving local law enforcement, to avoid the appearance of any conflict of interest. Investigators reviewed body camera footage, spoke with mutliple witnesses and examined physical evidence from the scene. 

The events are not in dispute, according to the prosecutor's office. On Nov. 23, 2024, the Rochester Police Department (RPD) and Fulton County Sheriff’s Department (FCSD) responded to a 911 domestic violence call on Monroe Street in Rochester. The 911 caller indicated that Harding had threatened her and pointed a gun at her and that a juvenile was involved in the altercation. 

RPD Officer Ed Haines responded to the residence, and two FCSD deputies, Ryan Haney and Jay Salientes, arrived moments later. Hearing screaming from inside the home, Haines entered through the front door and Harding immediately pointed a handgun at him. Despite multiple verbal warnings from officers, Harding failed to lower his weapon, and Haines and Haney fired their service weapons, striking Harding. The deputies started CPR and life-saving procedures until emergency services arrived, but Harding succumbed to his injuries.

"The ISP investigation report has been reviewed by the Fulton County Prosecutor. It unequivocally shows that the actions of Officer Haines and Deputy Haney were entirely consistent with law enforcement training and procedures involving the necessary use of lethal force," the prosecutor's press release states. "Our law enforcement officers, and those around them, were placed in immediate and life-threatening danger by Harding. Their response was both appropriate and necessary. Fortunately, such incidents are exceedingly rare in Fulton County." 

Haines has served the Rochester Police Department for more than 26 years and Haney has been a Fulton County sheriff’s deputy for more than 7 years. 

The Fulton County Prosecutor wants the public to know that they now consider this matter closed.