Howard Blair Kepler

Deadly force

Kepler was holding his wife, Leigh Landskroner, 49, at gunpoint in the lower-level bathroom of their home. Kepler fired multiple shots that hit Landskroner in the abdomen, arms and upper body, according to the report. Police pushed open the wooden door with a battering ram after hearing the gunshots, when Kepler turned and fired the gun in the direction of officers. Hess then shot Kepler believing he or other officers could be shot, the report stated.