News Release

ROCHESTER — The Indiana State Police, at the request of the Rochester Police Department and the Fulton County Sheriff’s Office, is investigating a police-involved shooting in which a Rochester man died.

The preliminary investigation by ISP detectives revealed that today, at approximately 10:48 a.m., members of the RPD and FCSO responded to a residence on Monroe Street for a report of a domestic disturbance involving a firearm.

When officers arrived at the residence, a male subject identified as Steven T. Harding, 37, was located inside, armed with a firearm and pointing it in the direction of the officer. An officer and a deputy discharged their duty weapons at least once, striking Harding.

Despite life-saving measures, Harding succumbed to his injuries and was pronounced deceased at the scene. Notification to Harding’s family has been made.

There were no officers injured in the incident. The officer and deputy involved in the shooting will be placed on administrative leave pending the outcome of the investigation. This is standard operating procedure for the RPD and FCSO when an officer is involved in a shooting.

The ISP is the lead agency in this investigation, assisted by the Fulton County Coroner’s Office and the Fulton County Prosecutor’s Office.

Upon completion of the investigation, the findings will be provided to the Fulton County Prosecutor’s Office for review.