GRAPHIC VIDEO: CMPD Releases Videos From Fatal Officer-Involved Shooting
CHARLOTTE, N.C. — CMPD released a series of videos from an officer-involved shooting that killed Rodney Smith on June 2, 2016. The videos were released following a court order.
WARNING: GRAPHIC CONTENT. VIEWER DISCRETION IS ADVISED.
Smith was shot and killed on June 2, 2016 on North Tryon Street. Police initially responded to a call about a shooting that occurred on a CATS bus. The suspect, who police identified as Smith, reportedly got off the bus and was walking inbound on North Tryon Street.
Police say they observed a man walking down the street who fit the description of the shooting suspect. Two officers exited their patrol vehicles and engaged the accused suspect, according to a news release. That’s when police say the officers determined the suspect (Smith) was armed with a handgun and perceived an imminent deadly threat and fired their service weapons striking him.
Smith was pronounced dead at the scene. Police say Smith and the victim from the CATS bus shooting were known to each other. Police say Smith fired at least one shot at officers and the officer fired multiple shots at Smith.
CMPD released the following statement regarding the court order:
We support the decision by North Carolina Superior Court Judge Jesse Caldwell to release the video in its entirety. In keeping with department protocol, we do not oppose the release of video evidence after a case has been thoroughly investigated and adjudicated. Our preference is to always allow for a thorough investigation with the intent to have all sides presented.
District Attorney Andrew Murray released the following statement:
There is no dispute that Officers Bell and Tryon fired their weapons and killed Rodney Smith. Therefore, the central issue in this review is whether or not the officers were justified under North Carolina law in using deadly force. A police officer – or any other person – is justified in using deadly force if the officer reasonably believed, and in fact believed, that he or another person was in imminent danger of great bodily injury or death from the actions of the person who is shot. In this case, the evidence supports the conclusion that Smith pointed and fired a gun at Officer Tryon and consequently, the officers were justified in using deadly force to stop the attack and defend themselves. Under the law, when using deadly force, the justification of using force includes all force necessary to end the threat. In this case, officers fired a number of times and struck Smith five times. The number of shots was not excessive given the clear nature of the threat. Therefore, I have determined that this shooting was justified under the law of North Carolina and agree with your decision not to seek charges against either officer.
