TRUMBULL COUNTY, OH - On Friday, the Trumbull County grand jury declined to indict the officer who shot and killed 31-year-old Jason Cain in December of 2024.

Trumbull County Assistant Prosecutor Chris Becker tells 21 News that the shooting of a suspect at the Harbor Freight store in the Belmont Plaza was determined to be justified, and the officer will not face any charges.

Cain’s family is now reflecting on this decision. Rachael Carter, Cain’s sister, said what she remembers most about her brother is his smile that could light up a room.

Carter also said Cain was a father, a brother, an uncle and a friend.

She sent 21 News a statement:

“Jason aka Goobie was a son, a dad, a brother, an uncle and a friend. 31 years young he was. He had a smile that could light a room, and a laugh that can still be heard. He was a helper, always willing to jump in and help anyone. I'll never forget when my husband and I bought our first house trying to get the refrigerator in and we didn't even have a ladder so Jason jumped right up on top of it to take the doors off. He was adventurous and always thinking outside the box to fix a problem. Jason had fought some hard battles."

Despite the strength and courage Jason always showed, and the demons he battled he is finally free. Jason is missed and loved by many...”


Cain was shot by a police officer in the parking lot of the hardware store on Belmont Avenue. Liberty police were alerted of a stolen vehicle parked in front of the store.

Officers boxed the vehicle in the parking lot to prevent Cain from driving away. Police said Cain ignored police and rammed into the cruisers. In response, Sergeant George Bednar shot Cain, and his car accelerated into the Harbor Freight building.

Cain was transferred to the hospital, where he died. Since the grand jury declined to indict Bednar, the officer will not face any charges.

The Trumbull County Prosecutor's Office issued its own opinion concurring with the Grand Jury's decision.

"Given the video evidence, the eyewitness accounts, the striking of two different police vehicles and the forensic evidence recovered from the Jeep, it is clear that Jason Cain intended to use the Jeep as a deadly weapon in order to evade and escape arrest. Sgt. Bednar's use of force was reasonable, given that Cain was using the vehicle in a threatening or deadly manner, and Sgt. Bednar reasonably believed that he was required to use deadly force to defend his fellow officers from being seriously injured or killed," the report reads.

Carter said the family is continuing to grieve Cain's death.