Jeffery D Jones, 53

Fort Wayne, Indiana
November 16, 2017

Agencies: Fort Wayne Police Department - Indiana | Indiana State Police

Cause of death: Shooting

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Last updated: almost 6 years ago

Overview

A Fort Wayne man who was shot by a police officer in late October died in a hospital Thursday after experiencing a “medical emergency” in jail the day before, officials said.

The Allen County coroner's office said it is trying to determine the cause and manner of death of Jeffery D. Jones and is awaiting additional testing.

The coroner's office said Jones had a medical emergency at the jail about 9:30 a.m. Wednesday and was taken to a hospital. The coroner's office said it was told of his death about 3:15 a.m. Thursday.

Officer Sage Knopp of the Fort Wayne Police Department shot Jones, 53, after Jones' wife called police and told them her husband had threatened to harm or kill her and pointed a gun at her in their home at 3107 Elmdale Drive on Oct. 27.

Officers James Spangle and Gavin Dambra were injured during a scuffle with Jones after they arrived at his home, police and court records said.

After he was shot, Jones was taken to a hospital and later transferred to the jail.

He was charged with criminal recklessness with a deadly weapon and two counts of resisting law enforcement causing injury.

According to online court records, a bail review hearing involving video conferencing was to take place Thursday in Allen Superior Court.

Knopp, the officer who shot Jones, was placed on paid administrative leave as part of standard procedure in police-action shootings. She returned to regular duty Nov. 5.

Sgt. Jim Seay, Fort Wayne police spokesman, said city police, Indiana State Police and the Allen County prosecutor's office are investigating the shooting.

Legal Action

A prosecutor during a news conference Friday afternoon December 1, 2017 at her office, called it a clear case of a justified police shooting.