The Indiana State Police (ISP) have released Blake Henry, 24, from custody and declared in a press release that no charges will be filed against the southern Indiana man who shot and killed 29-year-old Jacob Mitchell over the weekend. ISP ruled the incident to be a case of self-defense.
WDRB spoke with the Washington County prosecutor who told them Henry shot Mitchell after Mitchell charged at him. The man had already battered Mitchell as well as a female occupant of the home earlier in the evening.
The Washington County prosecutor released the following statement:
Washington County, Indiana (January 29, 2024) – On the late hours of Saturday evening into the early hours of Sunday morning (January 27, 28), a fatal shooting occurred at 506 North College Avenue in Salem, Indiana. Officers from the Salem Police Department, Washington County Sheriff’s Department and Indiana State Police arrived on scene shortly thereafter. It was determined that the homeowner, Blake Henry, shot Jacob Mitchell inside of the home. Also, in the home at the time of the shooting, were two adult females. The events that occurred were witnessed solely by those inside the home. Henry and the two females were taken to the Washington County Sheriff’s Department and interviewed by Indiana State Police detectives. Multiple officers and crime scene detectives remained on-scene at 506 N College Avenue until Sunday morning. Given the domestic nature of the investigation, and information learned at that time, it was necessary and appropriate for law enforcement to arrest Henry. He was booked into the Washington County Detention Center in the early morning hours of January 28th on the charge of murder.
Since Henry’s arrest, the investigation continued and the Prosecutor’s Office worked hand in hand with law enforcement to analyze all evidence collected in this investigation to date, to ensure that an appropriate charging decision could be made within the time constraints of the criminal justice system. We learned that Henry had been battered by Mitchell multiple times during the late-night incident. Mitchell also battered one of the females and had shattered a glass cabinet in a fit of rage. One woman inside said she had “never seen anyone act like that before,” and that Mitchell was “hurting everyone inside the home and we didn’t know what he was going to do.” Mitchell was physically charging at Henry when Henry fired the fatal shots. Henry immediately called 911 and can be heard issuing commands to “apply pressure,” as all inside engaged in life-saving measures. Henry repeatedly urged emergency personnel to come quickly to attempt to save Mitchell.
It was learned that the residence is rented by Henry, and he’d allowed Mitchell to stay since Mitchell had gotten into legal trouble in Lawrence County, Indiana, in a case alleging domestic violence against his ex-girlfriend. Mitchell also has a prior domestic battery conviction against a different victim from January 2023 in Lawrence County.
The constitution protects innocent people. Indiana law provides that a citizen has a right to defend themselves and third parties, and the judicial process worked here. After a thorough assessment of the events that occurred, it has been determined that Henry acted in self- defense, and in the interest of justice no criminal charges will result from the investigation conducted in this matter and he will be released from custody today.
The Prosecutor’s Office would like to thank the quick response of all law enforcement involved, as well as emergency management personnel.”
WDRB reported the ISP told them “investigators determined that Henry had been ‘battered several times during the late-night incident’ by Mitchell, who police said also ‘battered’ one of two women who were in the house and ‘shattered a glass cabinet in a fit of rage.’
“One woman inside told police she had ‘never seen anyone act like that before,’ and that Mitchell was ‘hurting everyone inside the home and we didn’t know what he was going to do.’”
The ISP also reported in their statement that Henry immediately called 911 following the shooting and could be heard by 911 operators to be issuing commands to the others in the home to apply first aid to the man he had just shot.
Mitchell was apparently staying in the home with Henry after he had gotten in trouble for another case of alleged domestic violence against an ex-girlfriend. WDRB also reported Mitchell had been convicted of domestic battery in January of last year, showing a pattern to his abusive behavior.
Well if you hold the damned door open for trouble it should be obvious trouble is coming in. Nonetheless charging the shooter for murder with no mention of a bail hearing, attorney, etc. sounds like there is more to the story. Like perhaps the stories of the 3 survivors did not harmonize, etc.
Fun fact: if all three victim’s stories synched perfectly, you would have cause to suspect conspiracy and collusion. I would hope that all their stories differ. What’s important is, that the theme of all the stories is consistent. “Sumbitch was whipping my ass, so I shot him!”
Ya Deb, that’s Indiana for ya. Probably a “hold” while the investigation was ongoing…
You are sure right about holding the door open and letting trouble in…
While I agree with the State’s decision, I would also observe: When you invite an Emotionally Disturbed Person into your home/life, what do you expect will happen? He let someone else’s problems become his problems. While it’s his right to put himself at risk, he wasn’t living alone. He put two women at risk as well. Think before you act.
Bullies feel “entitled”, just exactly like those who would neuter our fundamental rights.
How many (thousands) of times has this perp hurt someone else because he devalued everyone but himself? And when does his behavior stop?
Behavior that crosses a line is just that. Abuse that has gone unreported, or unanswered, is still abuse.
Dude, you just won a prize…
Regardless of the location, a DGU is not kryptonite to arrest and jail, and once released, the defender doesn’t get any sort of recompense for time under arrest. A DGU will likely be a negative influence on your life after.
Purchase defensive use pre-paid legal services before you need it.
*Offer void in some states see NY for details.
“Offer void in some states see NY for details.”
Pre-paid legal services are not “insurance”, which was what NY banned.
When US Law Shield started, they were “pre-paid legal services. In 2023 they became an insurance company. I now search for legal services. Arizona and Washington state seem to have such, but do not offer to non-residents.
The difference between legal services and insurance? Insurance reimburses you for expenditures; legal services provide direct support, not reimbursement.
Look into Attorneys on Retainer.
No good deed goes unpunished.
Many homeless are there because they have worked hard to get there with drug/alcohol abuse and violence.
Don’t leave out the free government handouts. $$$, meth pipes and shoot up kit, along with safe locations to use.
https://youtu.be/RGaWD2GMh8Y
And many, to one extent or another, are not right in their minds..
Multiple prior history of domestic abuse…this story kinda wrote itself. Possibly, Henry was unaware of dipstick’s prior criminal histories, if so, maybe he has learned an important life lesson.
Without witnesses and the 9-1-1 recording this could have gone in a bad direction.
What? The backhoe won’t start !?!
“The man had already battered Mitchell…”
wrong. needs fixin’.
Sounds like Henry did the world a favor.
Is this an allegory for America?
“….the two females were taken to the Washington County Sheriff’s Department and interviewed by Indiana State Police detectives.”
Talk about ‘collusion’. Jesus Christ.
Dont let ding dongs live with you is what i got out of that story
Yeah, that’s right.
I learned these lessons the “hands-on” way. Without going into detail, a very similar scenario of being attacked in my own home. Fortunately my wife was witness to the violent assault (as well as victim). Did what had to be done to stop the assault (in it’s tracks), and I will take it to my grave. Went to the ER for minor bloody injuries to my head and face, concussion too. The officers were pretty good about it but I had to undergo the better part of two days grilling which due to the state of shock I was in, I only remember bits of. (No arrest). Apparently they were satisfied as no charges were filed. Like I said, I will take it to my grave and don’t recommend it, pray it doesnt happen to you or yours…
If killing some mutant like that bothers you, you’re over civilized.
Yeah, I’m not taking in a person with a pattern of domestic violence. Hard pass.
This guy seemed like a waste of air, shame he couldn’t do something with his life other than beat people up.
So somebody shot a tird party who had been battering him and his female companions So why the HEADLINES , ? Quite properlynthe POLICE investigated and no charges were brought. In the UK the descison ”To Charge’ in this type of case is in the hands of the CROWN PROSECUTION SERVICE To my mind the Police should NOT beacting as both JUDGE and JURY
In the UK you aren’t allowed to deprive the state of a valuable thug that they can house is lockup and thereby help justify the confiscatory tax rates you pay. It matters not if he was attempting to kill you when you ended him, self defense in that 2nd world country (soon to be 3rd world) is forbidden.
@JG
“Look into Attorneys on Retainer.”
Thanx for the recommendation.
Lot of battered folks in this story…and all this time, I’d been eating my trashy chicks plain.
“it was necessary and appropriate for law enforcement to arrest Henry…”
necessary, or easier?
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