Grand jury returns no indictment in fatal Liberty Twp. police shooting The Jan. 11 shooting involved SWAT officers Photo courtesy The Journal-News and last updated 2021-04-22 19:16:53-04 A Butler County grand jury has reviewed evidence in a January officer-involved fatal shooting in Liberty Twp. and declined to issue an indictment, according to Prosecutor Michael Gmoser. Deputy Ricky Phillips, now an acting detective, shot and killed Junius Thomas after a several-hour standoff at the Lakota Pointe Townhomes following a response to a domestic report on Jan. 10. An investigation conducted by the sheriffâs office says Thomas raised a weapon in a doorway, and the deputy fired.