The Office of the Allen County Prosecuting Attorney has finished their review of the police action shooting investigation that occurred on January 8, 2025, in Fort Wayne, Indiana.
Fort Wayne Police Department news release:
Fort Wayne, Indiana (November 7, 2025) – The Office of the Allen County Prosecuting Attorney reviewed the investigation August 28th, 2025, surrounding the police action shooting that occurred on January 8th, 2025, in Fort Wayne, Indiana, which resulted in the death of Patricia Hepworth. A FWPD officer was also injured in this incident when a round or fragment of a round fired by other officers at Hepworth struck the officer in the foot.
The shooting investigation was completed by the Fort Wayne Police Department and the Indiana State Police. The Prosecuting Attorney’s Office has determined that there is no evidence of criminal liability in this incident. The officers were justified in using force, as they reasonably believed that force was necessary to prevent serious bodily injury or death to themselves and/or citizens of this community.
The Fort Wayne Police Department and the Indiana State Police have determined that the officer’s actions were consistent with department policy, and the use of force was reasonable to prevent serious bodily injury or death to the officers and/or citizens of this community.
The below link is a Critical Incident Video Brief of the Officer Involved Shooting.
All criminal defendants are to be presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
All information is preliminary and subject to change during the course of the investigation.
Investigators are asking anyone with information about the shooting to contact the Fort Wayne Police Department at 427-1201, Crime Stoppers at 436-7867, or use the free “P3 Tips” app.
Read other posts on the 2025 2nd Allen County Homicide or visit the 2025 Allen County Homicides index page.
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