MIDDLETOWN, Ohio (WKRC) – The fatal shooting of a man in Middletown was found to be justified, according to Butler County Prosecutor Mike Gmoser.
Police were searching a home on Garden Ave. on May 27 as part of a drug investigation. Gmoser said Michael Baker, 47, pointed a loaded gun at an officer. Baker was shot twice. He died from his injuries.
A woman was also injured but was expected to recover.
Middletown Police contacted the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation. Gmoser said its review of the body camera video and investigation went to a Butler County grand jury. It determined the use of deadly force was justified and no criminal charge is warranted.
“This case should serve as fair warning to all offenders involved in criminal activities that pointing a firearm at a police officer in the performance of his duties will be met with lethal and justified use of force to eliminate the threat. Such use of force is very likely to result in the justified death of the offender,” said Gmoser in a news release.
