-Colerain, OH. -May 29, 2024. Support us using **Super Thanks** next to the **share** button. Donate to us through Patreon! https://patreon.com/PoliceBodycamVideos? The three Colerain Township officers involved in the shooting at Kroger in May will not face charges for their “heroic” actions, according to Hamilton County Prosecutor Melissa Powers. Colerain police officers Huntington and Meinking, and Det. Hatcher are all a part of the IMPACT Unit at the police department where they combat drug activity and violent crime. On May 29, the three individuals were conducting a drug investigation on Colerain Avenue and Springdale Road, which escalated into a shooting, and eventually, an arrest. Powers says the officers witnessed a man, now known as 42-year-old Joseph Van Niman, partake in a “narcotics transaction” that day. When Officers Huntington and Meinking asked him to stop to inquire about information, Van Niman turned toward and took a “shooting stance.” Powers said they had a responsibility to protect themselves and the public from injury or death that day. “Drop the gun!” Officer Huntington commanded as Van Niman ran into the store. The first shot(s) were fired from Van Niman’s gun, Powers said. Multiple rounds of gunfire were exchanged between the suspect and the officers while a handful of shoppers were still in the store. In the Kroger surveillance footage, two people are crouching behind what appears to be charcoal bags while the shooting is happening a few feet from them. Van Niman was carrying a backpack and instantly dropped it as soon as the automatic doors opened. He stepped out from a barrier several times to shoot at the officers. Moments later, Det. Hatcher makes his way into the store via a different entrance after he saw that the officers were in trouble. This provoked Van Niman, forcing him to move deeper into the building. A bullet then hit Van Niman in the eye, Powers confirmed. He is still in the hospital and is expected to be okay. It was originally reported that a bystander was shot as well during the shooting, however, Powers says they were struck with shrapnel. Inside the black backpack that Van Niman carried that day were the following items: Pliers Ski mask Several pairs of gloves Multiple doses of Narcan Human-like face mask and sunglasses Calculator Pocket knife Scale Syringes Wig Other tools “We don’t know what he was planning or what he was previously involved in,” Powers said. According to Colerain Township Police Chief Edwin Cordie, the suspect is familiar to police. However, officers did not know that Van Niman was the one behind the gun that day - not until they arrested him. During the press conference, Chief Cordie was asked about the police department’s protocol, to which he responded: “Crime is crime,” and Van Niman taking a “shooting stance” makes the officers’ actions justifiable. “At no time when a gun is discharged, should we back down,” he added. The officers did not have any indication that Van Niman had a firearm until proven so, the chief said. Currently, the officers and the detective are on leave. The Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigations is still investigating. Van Niman not only has a lengthy petty criminal history in Hamilton County (mostly from 2021 and prior) but he also faces a few charges in Florida. One of those charges includes aggravated assault against an officer, Powers added. Van Niman was indicted on the following charges: Three counts of Attempted Murder (Felony 1) with firearm specifications Five counts of Felonious Assault (Felony 2) with firearm specifications One count of Carrying Concealed Weapons (Felony 4) One count of Having Weapons While Under Disability (Felony 3) One count of Possession of Criminal Tools (Felony 5) with firearm specifications One count of Inducing Panic (Felony 4) with firearm specifications If convicted, he could face a maximum possible sentence of 76 to 81.5 years in prison.