(ELKHART) – The use of deadly force by two Elkhart Police officers at a grocery store is being ruled as justified.

Elkhart County Prosecutor Vicki Becker says Corporal Paul Vandenburg and Patrolman Ethan Pasternak are not going to face any criminal charges for shooting and killing 54 year old Juan Sanchez January 27 outside of the Martin’s Super Market on East Jackson Boulevard.

Sanchez was shot just moments after he shot and killed two people inside the store, 49 year old Benjamin Jeffrey and 19 year old Annasue Rocha, both of Elkhart. Rocha was an employee of the store.

The preliminary investigation reveals that Jeffrey and Rocha were shot in the store just after 5:30 PM on January 27. Pasternak arrived on the scene just minutes after the call was made. He went around the perimeter of the building and saw two men, one of them was Sanchez, who pulled a gun and shot at Pasternak, and the officer returned fire.

Pasternak was struck in the elbow with the bullet going through and striking him in the torso.

Vandenburg arrived and went the same way around the building as
Pasternak. Sanchez turned and fired at Vandenburg, who was hit in the elbow as well, but returned fire.

Both were taken to and area hospital and have since been released. They are both on administrative leave.

The Elkhart County Homicide Unit is continuing to investigate the incident. No motive has been given on the shootings of Jeffrey and Rocha.