On the evening of Friday, April 21, 2006, in South Bend, Indiana, 36-year-old male Scott Lee Severns was walking to his vehicle with a female friend when their night took a violent turn. Severns, an off-duty corporal with the South Bend Police Department, was in the parking lot of an apartment complex located at 1433 Northside Boulevard around 10:45 p.m. As the pair approached his car, they were confronted by two young men who intended to rob them.
One of the assailants produced a silver handgun, escalating the encounter immediately.
Reacting with the instincts of a trained officer, Severns drew his own weapon to protect himself and his companion. He stepped in front of his friend, shielding her from the threat, and pushed her to the ground to ensure her safety. Gunfire erupted as the armed suspect began shooting. Severns managed to return fire, striking the gunman, but he sustained multiple gunshot wounds in the exchange. He was transported to Memorial Hospital of South Bend, where he fought for his life for two days. He succumbed to his injuries and died on Sunday, April 23, 2006.
Law enforcement officers quickly mobilized to find the individuals responsible for the shooting. Both suspects were apprehended shortly after the incident. The investigation revealed that the shooter was 17-year-old Jeffrey L. Finley, who had sought medical treatment for the gunshot wound inflicted by Severns. His accomplice was identified as 18-year-old Mijell L. Redding.
The legal proceedings that followed resulted in significant sentences for both young men. Jeffrey Finley was charged as an adult and later pleaded guilty to murder and attempted robbery. He received a sentence of 65 years in prison. Mijell Redding, who participated in the robbery attempt, originally pleaded guilty to attempted robbery and was sentenced to 45 years. However, following an appeal in 2008, his sentence was reduced to 30 years. Redding served his time and was discharged from parole in March 2019.
