Search fatalities

Gawon Kaerey Benson

Age : 31

Gender : Male

Race : Black

Date : 07/30/2024

Location : Intersection of East Campus Drive and Kettler Circle, Purdue University Fort Wayne Campus

City : Fort Wayne

County : Allen

State : Indiana

Agency : Fort Wayne Police Department

Officer(s) :Officer Jason Fuhrman

Cause of Death : Gunshot

Event : Killed by police during apprehension for community corrections violation

OPEN RECORDS SUMMARY :

On 07/30/2024, officers with the Fort Wayne Police Department were asked by DeKalb County Community Corrections to locate 31-year-old Gawon Kaerey Benson after he failed to return to custody from a community release program. Officers located Benson on the Purdue University Fort Wayne campus near the intersection of East Campus Drive and Kettler Circle.
Body-worn camera footage released by the Fort Wayne Police Department shows officers repeatedly ordering Benson to drop an object in his hand. Investigators determined the object was a loaded handgun. According to investigators, Benson manipulated the slide of the firearm while officers continued issuing commands. Officer Jason Fuhrman then fired multiple rounds, striking Benson. Officers rendered medical aid until paramedics arrived, but Benson died at the scene.
Following the shooting, investigators reported finding a handwritten note in Benson's pocket that they said suggested he intended to provoke a fatal encounter with police. Fort Wayne Police publicly stated the shooting appeared consistent with "suicide by cop." Benson's family disputed that conclusion, arguing that the released body-camera footage did not conclusively support the claim and criticizing the department for releasing only edited video. Family members also stated Benson had no history of violent offenses and said he had been incarcerated because of unpaid traffic-related violations and subsequent community corrections violations. They questioned whether deadly force was necessary under the circumstances.
The Allen County Prosecutor's Office reviewed the Indiana State Police investigation, body-camera footage, witness statements, forensic evidence, and the firearm recovered at the scene. In April 2025, Allen County Prosecutor Michael McAlexander concluded Officer Jason Fuhrman's use of deadly force was legally justified, finding no evidence of criminal liability. The prosecutor determined Benson's actions with the handgun created an imminent threat that justified the use of deadly force under Indiana law. No criminal charges were filed against Officer Fuhrman.
Officer Jason Fuhrman has served with the Fort Wayne Police Department since 2004. Prior to this incident, he had received multiple commendations and had also been involved in several civil lawsuits alleging excessive force, none of which resulted in findings of liability against him.

SOURCE LINKS :

FWPD releases body cam footage from July 30 shooting on PFW campus
https://www.wboi.org/public-safety/2024-08-22/fwpd-releases-body-cam-footage-from-july-30-shooting
.
Soellinger v. Fuhrman
https://casetext.com/case/soellinger-v-fuhrman
.
Mudd v. City of Fort Wayne et al.
https://law.justia.com/cases/federal/district-courts/indiana/inndce/1%3A2016cv00221/86822/54/
.
Fort Wayne officer cleared in shooting of 19-year-old during chase
https://www.wane.com/top-stories/fort-wayne-officer-cleared-in-shooting-of-19-year-old-during-chase/
.
Police Bodycam Footage: Fatal Shooting of Gawon Benson at Purdue Fort Wayne
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S24xn9a2mBw