OREGON, ILLINOIS — In 2020, Cody Neuschwanger, then 26, from Polo, responded to a distress call from a woman and found himself amidst a dangerous confrontation with Devin Bailey from Oregon, which ended in a fatal shooting in Rochelle, according to WTVO.
Recent reports reveal that Neuschwanger has been exonerated by an Ogle County court, following charges of First Degree Murder and Mob Action.
The incident took place on the 1100 block of 1st Avenue where Neuschwanger, reportedly previously trained in conflict de-escalation with the Department of Corrections, was unable to diffuse the situation peacefully as Bailey allegedly threatened him with a weapon.
Despite Neuschwanger presenting his firearm and warning Bailey, he had to fire a single fatal shot in self-defense.
Defense attorney Michael Johnson provided context stating that Bailey had prior domestic abuse charges.
“Neuschwanger was assisting the mother of one of the two teens arrested, after Bailey became threatening and violent,” Johnson added. Bailey was pronounced dead at the Rochelle Community Hospital.
A bench trial concluded in Neuschwanger’s favor, demonstrating that self-defense is not a crime.