Indianapolis - An early morning domestic dispute turned deadly on the city's southside. Shortly after 3 a.m. Saturday, IMPD responded to the 2200 block of South Pennsylvania Street. It's not the first time police responded to a domestic disturbance call at the Von Essen home on the city's southside. But Saturday morning ended in deadly gunfire when 22-year-old Dwayne Von Essen refused to obey police orders to put down his machete and hatchet. An officer fired a single shot, killing him. Police say the shooting was justified. "There are at least two notations in the run prior to the officer getting here of people inside the residence saying that if police showed up, they would be killed," said Sgt. Paul Thompson, IMPD Public Information Officer. But the Von Essen family says police used excessive deadly force even though the officers were never in any real danger. "They're life wasn't in danger. My brother never charged them," said Darrin Von Essen. "He had the weapons down at his sides. I don't think it was justified at all," said Julia Von Essen. "I think they could have tried to taser him or shot the weapon out of his hand or shot his leg, anything but the chest." Von Essen's mother admits her son was likely under the influence of drugs, but says police did not have to kill him. "I do believe that shooting him in the chest was probably not the answer," said Susan Owens. "That was not my son. Anybody would tell you. Everybody loved Dwayne. He was happy. He was finally getting his life together. Police say the officer followed protocol when he aimed at Von Essen's chest. "We're not trained to shoot below the torso," said Sgt. Thompson. "We're taught to shoot center of mass. The reason you're taught to shoot center of mass, you've got a high stress situation. There are too many variables. the officer can move, the suspect can move. You shoot where you're most likely to hit the target." It's now up to a grand jury and the prosecutor's office to determine if the officer will face any disciplinary action. The officer who shot VonEssen is on administrative leave while an internal investigation is being conducted.
BULLSHIT. They shot him in front of his mother,father,sister and brother. Left him lay there for 30 minutes. 30 MINUTES BEFORE THE EMT ARRIVED! He was still breathing but of course later He died at the hospital. He did not deserve to die and now Im without a best friend/ brother,,
