Prosecutor ruled South Bend officer justified in firing shots at woman; suspect arrested

Marek Mazurek, South Bend Tribune
·2 min read
Patrol cars at the South Bend Police Department.
Patrol cars at the South Bend Police Department.

SOUTH BEND — A South Bend police officer was justified in shooting his weapon at a woman who reportedly pointed a gun at him as the officer was responding to reports of shots fired on East Donald Street on Sunday, the St. Joseph County prosecutor ruled this week.

The woman — Jacquise Mickens — has been charged with two felony counts stemming from the incident.

When Officer Jacob Hasbrook arrived on the scene, Mickens, 32, pointed a handgun in his direction, prompting Hasbrook to fire two shots at her, according to a release from the prosecutor's office. Mickens was reportedly standing in the front door of her home when she pointed the gun at the officer.

Mickens was not injured, and she was arrested when more officers arrived at the scene, officials said. She yelled at officer as she exited her home unarmed, according to court documents.

Neighbors told police that Mickens walked outside of her house in the 1400 block of East Donald and fired her weapon multiple times at nearby homes that evening, prompting them to call 911, according to the prosecutor's office.

Mickens is charged with pointing a firearm and criminal recklessness, both Level 6 Felonies.

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Because Hasbrook fired his weapon during the incident, St. Joseph County and Mishawaka police were called to investigate the shooting by a police officer. The release from the prosecutor's office said both Hasbrook's body camera footage and accounts from the neighbor who called 911 corroborated his account.

Detectives found multiple "bullet defects" in the asphalt between Mickens' house and other houses in the street, according to the release

The South Bend Police Department previously said that Hasbrook was placed on paid leave during the investigation. Prosecutors ruled that Hasbrook was justified in firing his weapon and there will be no criminal charges filed against him.

This article originally appeared on South Bend Tribune: South Bend officer fires gun in shooting response, ruled justified