ISP to join Muncie police shooting probe

MUNCIE – Muncie Police Chief Steve Stewart said Monday he had asked Indiana State Police to participate in an investigation of last week’s police-action shooting.

Storm Allen Smith, 26, of Muncie, was fatally shot Friday evening during a struggle with a city police officer near East Jackson Street and the Muncie Bypass.

Stewart said the officer – whose name has not been released – responded to a report of a man making threats about 7:40 p.m.

The officer has been placed on administrative leave pending completion of the investigation.

“I think it’s important that an outside agency participate,” Stewart said. “We want to be as transparent as possible.”

Smith was pronounced dead at the scene of the shooting, near railroad tracks south of the 4200 block of East Jackson Street.

The officer that night was taken by colleagues to IU Health Ball Memorial Hospital for treatment of unspecified injuries.

Once completed, the results of the investigation will be turned over to Delaware County Prosecutor Jeffrey Arnold, who will decide whether the shooting was justified.

Contact news reporter Douglas Walker at (765) 213-5851. You can also follow him on Twitter @DouglasWalkerSP.