Post by OnCrime on Mar 6, 2007 13:14:39 GMT -5
The following information was released today by CMPD:
Update on officer-involved shooting
March 5, 2007
The Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department's Shooting Review Board has completed its administrative investigation into the November 19, 2006 officer-involved shooting that resulted in the death of Johnny Ray McNeal (DOB 03/03/1964), a suspect in a stolen vehicle case.
Under the law and pursuant to CMPD directives, officers may use deadly force:
(1) when it is reasonably necessary to defend him or herself from what the officer reasonably believes to be the use or imminent use of deadly physical force; or
(2) to effect an arrest or prevent the escape from custody of a person who, the officer reasonably believes, is attempting to escape by means of a deadly weapon; or
(3) to effect an arrest or prevent the escape from custody of a person who, by his or her conduct or any other means, indicates that he or she presents an imminent threat of death or serious physical injury to others unless apprehended without delay.
In determining whether it was reasonably necessary for Officer Hittle to use deadly force, the Board evaluated the facts and circumstances confronting him at the time. The Board determined Officer Hittle's actions were justified and within departmental guidelines.
The Board includes the members of the officer's chain of command, Internal Affairs and an outside civilian participant from the Community Relations Committee. Their charge is to review all available evidence and interview appropriate witnesses to determine whether any departmental policies were violated.
While North Carolina law prohibits the release of the results of the internal review because it protects personnel information, Officer Hittle voluntarily agreed to release the information in this case.
We have also received notification from District Attorney Peter Gilchrist of his decision in this case. The text of his statement is as follows:
The district attorney's responsibility in reviewing the results of a police investigation is to determine whether there is probable cause that a crime was committed and whether anyone should be charged with that crime.
In this case there is no evidence showing that any criminal offense was committed by Officer Jeff Hittle.
The actions of Officer Hittle in this situation do not violate any criminal law and, thus, do not support criminal charges.
Facts of the case
-Officers responded to a call for service around 9:00 p.m. on Sunday, November 19, 2006 regarding a burglary at 4617 North Tryon Street.
-The caller indicated two males had broken in and stolen a brown truck.
-Officers arriving at that location observed the fencing had been damaged
-Officers made contact with an individual who came down to the location and verified the truck had been stolen
-Other officers in the area spotted the suspect vehicle and attempted to make a stop
-When the vehicle failed to stop, officers turned off emergency equipment (lights and sirens), called for back up and attempted to follow the vehicle
-Officers lost sight of the vehicle, began patrolling area neighborhoods and located the vehicle near Dalecrest Drive off North Graham Street near I-85
-As officers approached the suspect vehicle, they observed the vehicle traveling in reverse for several blocks. When the suspect vehicle stopped, officers got out of their vehicles to approach the suspects
-The driver of the suspect vehicle accelerated towards Officer Hittle striking him
-Officer Hittle fired his service weapon one time
-The suspect vehicle continued to travel down Dalecrest Drive toward the intersection of Monmouth, hitting signs and mailboxes along the street before hitting a pole
-Officers called for medical assistance. MEDIC rendered aid to the driver of the suspect vehicle, the passenger and Officer Hittle
McNeal, the driver of the vehicle, was pronounced dead at the scene
-The second burglary suspect was Damion Nigel Smith (DOB 1-10-1972)
Officer Hittle was hired May 15, 2006, graduated from the Police Academy November 10, 2006 and is assigned to the North Tryon Division. He was riding with his police training officer, Officer Seth Fulton, at the time of the incident. New officers ride with a police training officer for the first 15 weeks following graduation. Officer Fulton, 30, is also assigned to the North Tryon Division. He was hired July 25, 2001.
Update on officer-involved shooting
March 5, 2007
The Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department's Shooting Review Board has completed its administrative investigation into the November 19, 2006 officer-involved shooting that resulted in the death of Johnny Ray McNeal (DOB 03/03/1964), a suspect in a stolen vehicle case.
Under the law and pursuant to CMPD directives, officers may use deadly force:
(1) when it is reasonably necessary to defend him or herself from what the officer reasonably believes to be the use or imminent use of deadly physical force; or
(2) to effect an arrest or prevent the escape from custody of a person who, the officer reasonably believes, is attempting to escape by means of a deadly weapon; or
(3) to effect an arrest or prevent the escape from custody of a person who, by his or her conduct or any other means, indicates that he or she presents an imminent threat of death or serious physical injury to others unless apprehended without delay.
In determining whether it was reasonably necessary for Officer Hittle to use deadly force, the Board evaluated the facts and circumstances confronting him at the time. The Board determined Officer Hittle's actions were justified and within departmental guidelines.
The Board includes the members of the officer's chain of command, Internal Affairs and an outside civilian participant from the Community Relations Committee. Their charge is to review all available evidence and interview appropriate witnesses to determine whether any departmental policies were violated.
While North Carolina law prohibits the release of the results of the internal review because it protects personnel information, Officer Hittle voluntarily agreed to release the information in this case.
We have also received notification from District Attorney Peter Gilchrist of his decision in this case. The text of his statement is as follows:
The district attorney's responsibility in reviewing the results of a police investigation is to determine whether there is probable cause that a crime was committed and whether anyone should be charged with that crime.
In this case there is no evidence showing that any criminal offense was committed by Officer Jeff Hittle.
The actions of Officer Hittle in this situation do not violate any criminal law and, thus, do not support criminal charges.
Facts of the case
-Officers responded to a call for service around 9:00 p.m. on Sunday, November 19, 2006 regarding a burglary at 4617 North Tryon Street.
-The caller indicated two males had broken in and stolen a brown truck.
-Officers arriving at that location observed the fencing had been damaged
-Officers made contact with an individual who came down to the location and verified the truck had been stolen
-Other officers in the area spotted the suspect vehicle and attempted to make a stop
-When the vehicle failed to stop, officers turned off emergency equipment (lights and sirens), called for back up and attempted to follow the vehicle
-Officers lost sight of the vehicle, began patrolling area neighborhoods and located the vehicle near Dalecrest Drive off North Graham Street near I-85
-As officers approached the suspect vehicle, they observed the vehicle traveling in reverse for several blocks. When the suspect vehicle stopped, officers got out of their vehicles to approach the suspects
-The driver of the suspect vehicle accelerated towards Officer Hittle striking him
-Officer Hittle fired his service weapon one time
-The suspect vehicle continued to travel down Dalecrest Drive toward the intersection of Monmouth, hitting signs and mailboxes along the street before hitting a pole
-Officers called for medical assistance. MEDIC rendered aid to the driver of the suspect vehicle, the passenger and Officer Hittle
McNeal, the driver of the vehicle, was pronounced dead at the scene
-The second burglary suspect was Damion Nigel Smith (DOB 1-10-1972)
Officer Hittle was hired May 15, 2006, graduated from the Police Academy November 10, 2006 and is assigned to the North Tryon Division. He was riding with his police training officer, Officer Seth Fulton, at the time of the incident. New officers ride with a police training officer for the first 15 weeks following graduation. Officer Fulton, 30, is also assigned to the North Tryon Division. He was hired July 25, 2001.