TERRE HAUTE, Ind. — No charges will be filed in a shooting authorities blamed on road rage.
According to Vigo County Prosecutor Terry Modesitt, Otis Parks acted in self defense July 29 when he shot and killed 29-year-old Sean Martin.
Parks told authorities he was on his way to Kroger South on U.S. 41 in Terre Haute when a white pickup truck began driving aggressively around him. When Parks pulled into Kroger, the truck, driven by Martin, turned from the left lane going across traffic to follow Parks into the parking lot.
Martin used his vehicle to block in Parks’ vehicle. At that time, Parks said he retrieved his handgun from his glove compartment box. Parks told authorities that when Martin grabbed him by the neck, he shot Martin twice and then immediately called police.
Authorities noted Parks is licensed to carry a handgun.
Witnesses from the parking lot and video footage backed up Parks’ account.
“In our current times, people are under a lot of stress,” Modesitt said when announcing the findings. “Mr. Martin was apparently under additional stressors in his personal life. It is tragic that Mr. Martin lost his life. And Mr. Parks was very upset that he had shot and killed a person. But these facts applied to Indiana law demonstrate that Mr. Parks’ actions are covered by the self-defense law and he will not be put in legal jeopardy for his actions.”
Martin served as a school protection officer at Riley Elementary School.
