STANDOFF: Man shot by police dies

This story was originally published by The Muncie Star Press on Aug. 3, 2015.

MUNCIE -- After barricading himself in a southside garage early Monday afternoon, 35-year-old Shawn M. Ruble made one thing clear to the negotiators who had reached him by cellphone -- he had no plans to surrender.

"I'm not coming out," said Ruble, who ran into the garage after parole officers, investigating his possible role in a Blackford County vehicle theft, arrived at the South Pershing Drive home where he had been staying. "It's not going to be easy. I've been in trouble for over 25 years and I'm not going back to jail.

"This is not going to end good. I have a .40-caliber (handgun) and 32 rounds. Either they're going to shoot me, or I'm going to shoot myself, or I'm going to shoot them." (His comments, transcribed from a recorded conversation, were provided by the Muncie Police Department.)

Still later, Ruble -- at times pointing his weapon through a window in the garage -- told authorities he had doused himself with gasoline.

After the Muncie man was asked repeatedly to throw out his weapon and surrender peacefully, he allegedly set the detached garage, which actually sits along East 15th Street, on fire.

He then jumped from a second-story window, still armed, and was shot by two officers when he continued to point his handgun at them, Police Chief Steve Stewart said.

Those officers "immediately began rendering medical aid" to Ruble, the chief said. The Muncie man was rushed by ambulance to IU Health Ball Memorial Hospital, where he later died.

Delaware County Coroner Scott Hahn said an autopsy would be conducted Tuesday.

The officers involved in the shooting have been placed on administrative leave, which is standard procedure, pending completion of a joint investigation by the MPD and Indiana State Police.

The findings of that investigation will then be forwarded to the Delaware County prosecutor's office. Delaware County Deputy Prosecutor Zach Craig came to the scene after the shooting.

The state parole agents reported Ruble pulled a handgun and pointed the weapon at them when he fled from the Pershing Drive house and ran into the garage at about 12:10 p.m.

The MPD then received a call for assistance, and about 30 officers, including SWAT team members, converged on the scene.

The flurry of gunshots that mortally wounded Ruble was audible in the surrounding neighborhood. A recording appeared to indicate 5-8 shots were fired.

A short time later, the garage fire caused an electrical line to begin to spark and pop, perhaps prompting speculation about still more shots being fired.

Lisa Finley, who lives near the shooting scene on Hackley Street, said she thought the police activity might be a "drug bust."

"I didn't even know what it was," she said, adding that she did not know Ruble.

"I stay in my house," she added.

In 2010, Ruble was convicted of a burglary charge that had been filed in 2003. State Department of Correction records reflect he was most recently released from custody early this year.

His criminal record also included convictions for resisting law enforcement and theft.

City firefighters who were called to the scene fairly quickly brought the garage fire under control.

Contact news reporter Douglas Walker at (765) 213-5851. You can also follow him on Twitter @DouglasWalkerSP.