Prosecutor: Firefighter shot neighbor in self-defense

Update, July 6: As of Thursday afternoon, Jeffrey Weigle, 59, remained in critical condition at IU Health Methodist Hospital, according to a hospital spokesperson.

July 5, 3:49 p.m.: No charges will be filed against an Indianapolis firefighter who shot his neighbor after the man pulled out a gun while riding a lawn mower, Johnson County Prosecutor Brad Cooper said Wednesday.

The June 27 showdown was captured on security video, Cooper said, noting it clearly shows Jeffrey S. Weigle, 59, raising a handgun just before Dean Keller, 49, shot him multiple times in the 1200 block of Campbell Road just east of Greenwood.

Keller claimed self-defense. Cooper agreed.

"The decision to not file charges on Keller was a simple application of Indiana law and should not be looked upon as condoning the behavior of either party," Cooper said.

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Cooper provided a copy of the video, captured by a camera on Keller's property, to IndyStar on Wednesday. 

The prosecutor said Weigle was the aggressor.

Near a fence line, Weigle insults Keller and Keller's wife, Lisa, the video shows.

Keller returns an insult as Weigle rides a lawn mower off camera, the video shows.

Weigle backs the mower up, reaches into his pocket and pulls out a handgun, Cooper said.

"Given the aggression shown by Weigle," Cooper said, "it was reasonable for Keller to believe deadly force was necessary to prevent serious bodily injury to himself (and) his wife."

The video shows bullets zipping through a bush as Weigle returns fire. Weigle stands and quickly walks out of view.

Keller, an 18-year Indianapolis Fire Department firefighter, was uninjured. Weigle was shot four times and suffered a "sucking chest wound," according to a police report.

Cooper said Weigle rented a room in the home next door. The gun Weigle carried belongs to the homeowner, Nancy Phillips.

Cooper said Phillips did not give Weigle permission to use her gun. She told investigators that Weigle took the gun from under her pillow before he went out to mow.

"Whether Jeffrey Weigle shall be charged with a crime will be determined if and when he recovers," Cooper said.

The neighbors have been in a long-running dispute. Keller and Weigle have clashed more than a dozen times since 2009, according to Johnson County Sheriff's Office reports.

The men argued about a range of things, including the location of a fence, Keller's dogs and Weigle's motorcycle.

On Sept. 9, 2011, officers arrested both men on battery charges after a fight. During the scuffle, Keller was stabbed in the arm and Weigle suffered cuts, scratches and bite wounds, according to a police report.

Call IndyStar reporter Vic Ryckaert at (317) 444-2701. Follow him on Twitter: @vicryc.