Prosecutor asks ISP to lead on KPD officer-involved incident at University Apartments

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A shooting involving the Kokomo Police Department on Aug. 2 will be investigated by the Indiana State Police, according to the Howard County Prosecutor’s Office.

According to sources with knowledge of the incident and from scanner traffic, a caller contacted police dispatch early on Saturday morning around 7 a.m. The report was that an armed man had fired a rifle inside an apartment at University Apartments, 2110 S. Lafountain St., on the city's south side.

Officers responded to the call and allegedly found 30-year-old Johnathon Landis in a recently cleared patch of land near the apartments. Landis, a U.S. Marine no longer in active duty, was a student at nearby Indiana University Kokomo.

An officer reported that Landis allegedly fired two shots from his rifle into the air. When the man did not respond to verbal commands to disarm, he was fired upon by police.

Once Landis was down, officers began administering CPR, but eventually the Howard County Coroner's office was summoned to the scene around 7:30 a.m.

The Kokomo Police Department's Criminal Investigations Section initiated an investigation into the incident, but on Tue., Aug. 5, the Howard County Prosecutor's office requested the Indiana State Police to assume investigative jurisdiction over the case.

Howard County Prosecutor Mark A. McCann announced today that his office has formally requested the Indiana State Police assume primary investigative responsibility for the Kokomo Police Department officer-involved shooting that occurred on Aug. 2, 2025.

In a letter sent to Lt. T.J. Zeiser, Commander of Indiana State Police District 16, Prosecutor McCann emphasized the importance of an independent and impartial investigation to maintain public confidence in the integrity of the process.

"Given the seriousness of this incident, it is in the best interest of justice and the community that the Indiana State Police take the lead in this matter," said Prosecutor McCann. "Our office will provide full cooperation to ensure a thorough and transparent investigation."

The release stated that the Howard County Prosecutor's Office is committed to upholding the integrity of all law enforcement operations and ensuring that all investigations are conducted fairly and without bias.

An autopsy was performed on Mon., Aug. 4, by a forensic pathologist at the Howard County Coroner’s Office. Cause and manner of death are pending autopsy and toxicology results.

The prosecutor’s office stated that further updates will be provided to the public as the investigation progresses, in coordination with the Indiana State Police.