Shaheed Covington (2022)

From LEO Ratings
 
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Overview

On September 15, 2022, detectives at the Charlotte-Mecklenburg North Carolina Police Department Crime Center located a vehicle that had been reported stolen. The detectives tracked the vehicle on the city's surveillance cameras and were able to see that the driver was armed with a handgun. Patrol officers attempted to stop the vehicle. Covington, the driver, eventually stopped and fled on foot while carrying a handgun. Officers Charles Famulari, Kristian Barr, and Sean Werchek "perceived an imminent lethal threat" and fired their handguns. Officer Samuel Blobe, who was the initial officer in the foot pursuit, did not fire.[1]

Covington was not struck by the gunfire and surrendered to officers.[1]

Covington was charged with possession of a stolen vehicle and resisting a public officer.[1]

Three passengers in the vehicle were arrested without incident. One minor was charged with possession of a handgun by a minor; another was charged with possession of a handgun by a minor and possession of stolen property.[1]

The District Attorney reviewed the incident and has not filed charges against the officers.[1]

An Internal Affairs investigation determined that the shooting was within department policies.[1]

Video

On March 20, 2023, the city released the body-worn camera video after a judge ruled in favor of a reporter's request.

Officer Famulari
Officer Barr
Officer Werchek
Officer Blobe

Officers Involved

Official Reports

Additional Sources

References

  1. 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 Onyx Street OIS Critical Incident Briefing, Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department, 2023-03-20