A Jennings County man claiming he acted in self-defense in an altercation that left another man dead early Monday has been cleared — at least at this time, police report.

Chance Goodwin, 25, of North Vernon told investigators he feared for his safety when he struck Luis Silva, 23, of Micanopy, Florida, with a knife during the incident reported at 12:44 a.m. in the area of the city park at 604 N. State St., North Vernon.

Goodwin told police he then moved about 20 feet away from Silva, who ran across State Street and collapsed and died, according to a news release from Sgt. Andrew Richmond. His body was found by a passerby.

Detectives Ivory Sandefur and Nick Megel investigated Silva’s death and spent nearly 20 hours collecting evidence and working to identify the men involved in the incident.

Goodwin, who voluntarily agreed to be interviewed, told police the incident started when he drove a Chevrolet Cavalier into a service station in the 700 block of North State Street, Richmond reported. Silva was a passenger in that vehicle.

After arriving at the station, Goodwin said Silva demanded money from him. After Goodwin refused the request, Silva left the car and came around to the driver’s side, police said.

Goodwin also left the vehicle and Silva again confronted him and demanded money, police said. That’s when Goodwin struck him with the knife, got back into his car and left the station.

Police were able to verify Goodwin’s story by security camera footage and witness statements, Richmond reported.

Based upon that information, Jennings County Prosecutor Brian Belding found there was insufficient evidence at this time to contradict Goodwin’s claims of self-defense, Richmond said.

If new information develops, the case may be reevaluated, Richmond said.