CMPD Officials Determine Pineville Officer Is Justified In Fatal Shooting Of Shoplifting Suspect

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CMPD officials have announced the conclusion of an extensive investigation with the Pineville Police Deparmtent into an incident that led to the death of 46-year-old Dennis Bodden.

Police say Bodden was believed to be a shoplifting suspect imposing imminent deadly threat to a Pinveille Police Officer. The deadly threat resulted in the shooting death of Bodden on May 14th.

Investigators have determined the Pineville officer who fatally shot Bodden was justified, and no charges will be filed in this case.

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PINEVILLE, N.C. – Authorities revealed new information a day after a man, suspected of shoplifting at a Food Lion, was killed in an officer-involved shooting on Tuesday.

A Pineville Police sergeant, working off-duty at the McMullen Creek Shopping Center nearby, responded to the Food Lion in regards to someone shoplifting. Police said the sergeant, whose name has not been released, was in full uniform and in a marked car.

The sergeant made contact with a man, identified as 46-year-old Dennis Bodden, in the upper parking lot. 

Authorities said Bodden had a history of violent tendencies against police and was known as a frequent shoplifter at the Food Lion. He also had two outstanding felony warrants for breaking and entering and larceny after breaking and entering at the same Food Lion, officials said.

Bodden allegedly refused to listen to verbal and lawful commands and continued to walk away from the sergeant.

Officials said the sergeant followed Bodden along Johnston Road and requested more officers to assist with the situation.

At this time, police said Bodden became physically confrontational and a taser was used by the sergeant.

The taser wasn’t effective, and the sergeant continued to follow Bodden into an apartment complex on Cedar Circle Drive.

As back-up arrived, police said Bodden exhibited an additional escalation of a physical threat by resisting arrest. Another taser was deployed by a back-up officer and it didn’t affect Bodden.

After the second taser was used, police said Bodden lunged towards the sergeant and tried to grab his weapon, and the situation ended in deadly force.

Bodden received immediate medical attention by the officers until EMS arrived. Police said no weapon was found on Bodden’s person.

Both Pineville officers were not shot, but were transported to the hospital for injuries. The sergeant is on paid administrative leave while the investigation continues.