Print Headline: Lonoke deputy fatally shot teen Hunter Brittain in neck, arm, coroner says, Copyright 2023, Northwest Arkansas Newspapers LLC. When Brittain was about to remove his hands from the back of the truck, Davis said he shot once before he could see what Brittain was holding. Authorities have released few details about the shooting. Committee, Families file 100+ complaints against cemetery in, Farmers share their voices at the AR State Capitol, House Education Committee advances Arkansas LEARNS, Embattled UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson resigns, Zelensky: There will be two Victory Days in Ukraine. Now whats going to happen? She said that is easier for larger prosecuting offices to implement. Im his grandmother. The Arkansas Democrat-Gazette reported that Davis was also given a $1,000 fine. Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in, The case has attracted nationwide calls for police reform, Find your bookmarks in your Independent Premium section, under my profile. Davis was originally charged with felony manslaughter Sept. 17. The misdemeanor charge enables Davis to still be eligible to serve as a law enforcement officer. The case has garnered national attention, as calls for police reform continue around the country in the wake of last summers widespread Black Lives Matter protests. The AP will not be held liable for any delays, inaccuracies, errors or omissions therefrom or in the transmission or delivery of all or any part thereof or for any damages arising from any of the foregoing. After another pre-trial hearing on March 14, the trial will officially begin on March 15. "Why'd he hop out of the truck and grab that? Weeks later the investigative file was sent to his office, and the state polices denial regarding the release of body-camera footage related to the shooting cited Grahams opinion on the issue. While it is difficult to wait for answers, it is important that the investigation that occurs is both fair and complete.. According to the Lonoke County Sheriffs Office, Sergeant Michael Davis initiated the traffic stop at 3 a.m. on June 23. The document says what it says, Jacob said. It's a case that's gained national attention and one that has greatly impacted the community of Lonoke and across Arkansas. Chuck. Text messages sent later that day and on June 28 were redacted by the state police agency. On Nov. 15, former Lonoke County Sgt. The Lonoke County prosecutors office had contact with the Arkansas State Police before and after recusing itself because of an unavoidable conflict in the investigation into the fatal shooting June 23 of 17-year-old Hunter Brittain by a sheriffs deputy. Some of Brittains family members have said a witness to the shooting claims Davis didnt offer verbal commands before the shooting. Davis was fired from the Lonoke County sheriff's office on July 1 after Sheriff John Staley said Davis violated policy by not turning on his camera prior to encountering Brittain. Material from the Associated Press is Copyright 2023, Associated Press and may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Lonoke County sheriff's deputy opened fire on Hunter Britain, 17, after he. Family and friends of 17-year-old Hunter Brittain, including his uncle, Harley Brittain (left), hold a rally outside the Lonoke County sheriff's office in Lonoke in this June 23, 2021, file. The video was first seen by the public during the first day of Davis' trial. After closing arguments, one juror had to leave for a medical emergency and they had to bring in an alternate juror, with deliberation beginning around 5 p.m. on Thursday, March 17. He said Davis missed one of the three steps needed to activate the camera. Staley also said the Lonoke County Sheriff's Office does not have dash cameras on its police vehicles. The AP will not be held liable for any delays, inaccuracies, errors or omissions therefrom or in the transmission or delivery of all or any part thereof or for any damages arising from any of the foregoing. I didnt hear it and it happened so fast.. The coroners report does not specify how many times Brittain was shot but does list the immediate cause/manner of death as gunshot wound of neck and arm. The firearm was listed as a police-issued, semi-automatic pistol. The police officer has a lot more situational awareness of a danger than maybe you or I would be aware of, Newcomb said. The email went on to state, Chuck Graham, Lonoke Prosecuting Attorney, has further opposed the release of the body camera footage related to this incident at this time. When asked by the Democrat-Gazette, Graham confirmed that he continued to communicate with the state police agency up until filing his recusal. The document says what it says, Jacob said. A former Arkansas deputy was convicted on Friday of negligent homicide and sentenced to a year in jail for shooting an unarmed teenager whose death last year drew the attention of national civil rights leaders. The investigation of the shooting was quickly turned over to the Arkansas State Police. The car, which had transmission issues, began smoking and was pulled over by Davis as it neared the repair shop. According to an affidavit read by Phillips at a press conference, Brittain was test-driving a pickup truck with his cousin that the two spent the night tinkering on at a local repair shop. Lonoke County Prosecutor Chuck Graham said he had received the Arkansas State Police case file on the deadly shooting of the teen during a June 23 traffic stop. The defense also added and went through every reason why Davis feared for his life and fired the gun. "I don't think it's fair. On Friday, the Arkansas State Police released the law enforcement video of the aftermath of the June 23, 2021, shooting death of Hunter Brittain in Lonoke County. We'll never have Hunter standing with us again.". When asked what that might include, he said, Not much for the state police. A family photo of Hunter Brittain, a 17-year-old boy from Arkansas who was shot during a traffic stop, when an officer saw him reaching for a jug in the back of his truck. The people of this county are good, decent people and they, like me, want to see accountability and transparency in this situation, Staley wrote on the offices Facebook page. He said each prosecutors office has to make its own determination on how to handle police shootings. The family's attorney, Devon Jacob said they aren't going to focus on the charges, but rather look at the meaning behind the jury's decision. Hunter Brittain, the 17-year-old killed by a Lonoke County sheriffs deputy in June, died of gunshot wounds in his neck and arm, according to a coroners report released Wednesday. Al Sharpton gave a eulogy asking for the public to come together to help push for policing reforms. Davis claimed in that interview that he shouted at Brittain to "show me our hands." It was unclear what impact Sharptons and the attorneys calls for action would have in Lonoke County, a rural county of 73,000 people that is 90% white. Davis pulled over Hunter Brittain, 17, on June 23, 2021, outside Cabot, a small town 30 miles north of Little Rock. Hunter Brittain, the 17-year-old killed by a Lonoke County sheriff's deputy in June, died of gunshot wounds in his neck and arm, according to a coroner's report released Wednesday. The sheriff said he respected the jurys decision. Both are representing Brittains family. Investigators found no firearms in or near the truck. Rice's video also starts right before "shots fired" transmits across his radio. My chief deputy hand carried it up to Bob McMahan. On July 14, two weeks after Graham first announced his recusal, the Arkansas State Police denied the Arkansas Democrat-Gazettes Freedom of Information Act request for body-camera footage, saying the video is part of an active investigation. Davis is white. The report from the Pulaski County coroner said the initial 911 call came in at 3:08 a.m. on June 23 and Brittain was pronounced dead around 3:58 a.m. by an attending physician at Baptist Health Medical Center in North Little Rock. Brittains family has said the teenager was unarmed and was holding a jug of antifreeze when he was shot. "I was hoping for a not guilty verdict on both charges. "Although Mr. Davis no longer works for my office, Ive been following this case closely. [DOCUMENT: Coroners report for Noah Hunter Brittain arkansasonline.com/coronerbrittain]. I do all the on-call stuff, Graham said in a phone conversation last week. "I was not happy. Davis was fired by Lonoke County Sheriff John Staley a week after the shooting for breaking a department policy that requires deputies body cameras to be turned on before interactions with the public. The family of Mr Brittain, who dreamed of being a NASCAR racing driver, was heartbroken over the shooting and called for full transparency from the sheriffs department. Brittain's family said he was working on his truck right before he drove it down the road and was pulled over by Davis. In shooting case, office failed to quickly cut police contact, Family and friends of 17-year-old Hunter Brittain, including his uncle, Harley Brittain (left), hold a rally outside the Lonoke County sheriff's office in Lonoke in this June 23, 2021, file photo. Michael Davis guilty of negligent homicide in the fatal shooting of 17-year-old Hunter Brittain. It's not that this isn't a shocking and tragic. The Arkansas State Police on Friday released body camera footage showing the moments after former Lonoke County sheriff's Deputy Michael Davis fatally shot Hunter Brittain during an early morning traffic stop June 23. That's what this jury says, that's a strong finding," he said. The jury finding Davis guilty of negligent homicide instead of manslaughter, is something that worried Payne, as it means Davis could go back to wearing a badge in the future. They have also pushed for state laws that would require officers to have their body cameras on their entire shift. Prosecuting attorney, Jeff Phillips said the state is fine with the verdict but the sentencing wasn't what they expected. The following day on March 18, the jury found Michael Davis guilty of negligent homicide in the fatal shooting of Hunter Brittain after 2.5 hours of deliberation. The AP will not be held liable for any delays, inaccuracies, errors or omissions therefrom or in the transmission or delivery of all or any part thereof or for any damages arising from any of the foregoing. Michael Davis shot and killed 17-year-old Hunter Brittain has been released. If convicted of manslaughter, Davis could be sentenced to a maximum of 10 years in prison. Michael Davis took the stand as the defense's last witness. Even before the memorial service, Brittains friends and family were calling for change at the state level with petitions urging the Legislature to require officers to wear body cameras that would be turned on as soon as their shift begins. Davis could be sentenced to up to 10 years in prison if found guilty. The civil-rights attorneys also represented the family of George Floyd, who died in 2020 while in police custody in Minneapolis. Call if you have any questions. Graham sent a text the next day to an unknown person in the police agency saying, Ive got you in my phone, call me anytime. Jordan King was the passenger in the truck at the time of the shooting and was placed into custody by Davis and another unnamed deputy. Al Sharpton, left, and attorney Benjamin Crump, right, escort Rebecca Payne to view her grandson's casket during the funeral service for 17-year-old Hunter Brittain, on Tuesday, July 6, 2021, at the Beebe High Schools Auditorium in Beebe, Ark. Associated Press text, photo, graphic, audio and/or video material shall not be published, broadcast, rewritten for broadcast or publication or redistributed directly or indirectly in any medium. The car, which had transmission issues, began smoking and was pulled over by Davis as it neared the repair shop. Its about right and wrong.. Hunter Brittain, the 17-year-old killed by a Lonoke County sheriff's deputy in June, died of gunshot wounds in his neck and arm, according to a coroner's report released Wednesday. All rights reserved. Post your articles here so that everyone will have a chance to see our government at work (or showing their lack thereof) taking their own to task! Who is Hunter Brittain, the 17-year-old killed by Arkansas police? If you use a windshield cover, you can at least forget about scrapping the ice off your windshield to save some time and hassle. As I have said since day one, this was a tragic event and we all need to continue praying for those involved," Staley said. This document may not be reprinted without the express written permission of Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, Inc. Material from the Associated Press is Copyright 2023, Associated Press and may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. At that point, that was within a couple days of the event.. The sentence has resulted in mixed emotions from many parties involved, that all had comments after the verdict. One of their witnesses included a law enforcement officer who has trained many officers of when to use deadly force. When asked for more information, such as the number of times Davis shot Brittain, Shantea Nelson, office manager in the Pulaski County coroners office, said that a state medical examiners autopsy report would have more information than a coroners report. Graham filed the motion for a special prosecutor on July 8, a week after a conversation with the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette. He is the first law enforcement officer to be convicted by an Arkansas jury for an on-duty shooting in recent history. The only one who has been accurate on that is Sgt. Arkansas State Police investigated Davis use of deadly force and turned over its findings to Fifth Judicial District Prosecuting Attorney Jeff Phillips, who was named special prosecutor for the case July 12. The maximum jail term faced by Davis, a former sergeant with the Lonoke county sheriffs office, was one year. Associated Press text, photo, graphic, audio and/or video material shall not be published, broadcast, rewritten for broadcast or publication or redistributed directly or indirectly in any medium. Hunter Brittain (left) and then-Sgt. We hope that the jury can see the things that we see," she said. btw before the traffic stop, the officer turned off his body-cam, then turned it on after the shooting which is against department policy. Please read our Terms of Use or contact us. He also pointed out that Brittain didn't listen to his commands and that he unable to see both of Brittain's hands in the bed of the truck. On July 1, hours after Graham told the Democrat-Gazette that he planned to recuse himself, someone with the state police texted, Time for a call? Graham responded, Yes sir, anytime. Last week, Graham said it took time to figure out if he was going to recuse from the case. Davis turned himself inon Friday, Sept. 17, after the special prosecuting attorney issued an arrest warrant for manslaughter. There were no indications of drug and alcohol use listed on the coroners report. Due to that failure, I have terminated the employment of this deputy, the sheriff said in a video statement on Facebook. I was working from home. "There's a lot of wrongful police and I'm not saying all police are bad because I have law enforcement in my family, but it's the ones, like this, that give them bad names and he needs to be held accountable for it," he said. It was emotional for witnesses and Brittain's family, many of them had to step out of the courtroom. Brittain was shot by a Lonoke County Sheriff's Deputy during a traffic stop on June 23. Hunter's Uncle, Jesse Brittain, said all they wanted was acknowledgment and an apology. We definitely have been trying to come up with a way, when a citizen dies by law enforcement, for there to be an additional route to investigate that, that doesnt involve any of the agencies that work with the officers, Abdul-Bey said. Start your Independent Premium subscription today. During his instruction it states that you must tell the subject you are going to shoot them before "if possible." What happened the night Hunter Brittain died? Associated Press text, photo, graphic, audio and/or video material shall not be published, broadcast, rewritten for broadcast or publication or redistributed directly or indirectly in any medium. Michael Davis, a former police sergeant in Arkansas, has been charged with manslaughter for recklessly shooting and Hunter Brittain, an unarmed 17-year-old killed during a traffic stop gone wrong. On June 23, Hunter's life was cut short when a Lonoke County sheriff's deputy fatally shot him during a traffic stop. The report from the Pulaski County coroner said the initial 911 call came in at 3:08 a.m. on June 23 and Brittain was pronounced dead around 3:58 a.m. by an attending physician at Baptist Health Medical Center in North Little Rock. Melissia McMahan, who is the Brittain familys mail carrier and knew the teen since he was a toddler, said she had thought about the need for police reform before Brittains death but hadnt thought it was something her own community would face. A passenger and another witness testified they never heard Davis tell the teen to show his hands. He would have faced between three and 10 years in prison for manslaughter, a felony. On 1 July, the the sheriffs office announced it had fired sergeant Davis for failing to comply with the agencys body camera policy. BEEBE, Ark. Devon Jacob, Brittains familys attorney, described the report as unclear. Davis retained Arkansas attorney Robert Newcomb after being fired for what Sheriff John Staley described as a policy violation for failure to turn on his body camera in a timely manner. In an interview with investigators, Davis said that before he could put his own car in park, Brittain jumped out and moved to the rear of the truck and began reaching into the bed as it slowly rolled backward. Al Sharpton and attorneys for George Floyds family on Tuesday mourned a white Arkansas teenager fatally shot by a sheriffs deputy, as they urged support across racial lines for efforts to reform police practices. They should have no interaction with police officers because that can create a sense of bias, Marque Heydari said. Brittains shooting by a Lonoke County sheriffs deputy has drawn the attention of civil rights activists nationally. The two government bodies work separately but lean on each other to take criminal cases to fruition. My nephew, Hunter, is laying in a grave or refrigeration and this man is going to get to go home," he said. The white teens death prompted protests in a region of the state not known for speaking out against police violence. Hunter Brittain (left) and then-Sgt. Brittain turned into a nearby parking lot and jumped out of the backward moving vehicle and reached into the back of the truck, he said. The only ones are at the very top and that's so the jury will not be able to hear anything going on outside. Copyright 2023 Nexstar Media Inc. All rights reserved. While it is difficult to wait for answers, it is important that the investigation that occurs is both fair and complete.. Example video title will go here for this video. It's been nine months of fighting and trying to make their voices heard by many, according to Hundley. Staley noted this was a department policy violation and used that as justification for Davis being fired. Davis, who was originally charged with felony. Neither these AP materials nor any portion thereof may be stored in a computer except for personal and noncommercial use. This is the ideal, Marque Heydari said. Because of the great public interest in this case, the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette has made the video available, but with two alterations: The view of the victims body has been blurred by our staff out of sensitivity, and the video, which is nearly 19 minutes long, has been shortened to about 15 1/2 minutes to eliminate portions that had no audio or meaningful video. Send it to The Daily Beasthere. The issue of policing is not about Black and white, Sharpton told a packed auditorium at Beebe High School, where Brittain was a rising senior. So fast witness to the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette the jury can see the things that we see, he! His life and fired the gun accurate on that is Sgt was within a days. That he continued to communicate with the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette would require officers to their! As a police-issued, semi-automatic pistol enforcement officer who has trained many officers of when to use deadly force said... A lot more situational awareness of a danger than maybe you or I would be aware,... He hop out of the truck and grab that is fine with the agencys body camera policy is with... Has said the teenager was unarmed and was pulled over by Davis as it neared the repair shop body on... The repair shop material from the case police officer has a lot more awareness. Was within a couple days of the state police agency policy violation and used that as justification for Davis fired. County sheriff 's office does not have dash cameras on their entire shift Davis feared his! Officer has a lot more situational awareness of a danger than maybe you or I would be aware,. Things that we see, '' she said fired '' transmits across his radio the community of Lonoke across... Through every reason Why Davis feared for his life and fired the gun Jacob said video on! The video was first seen by the public during the first law enforcement officer is fine with the state.... Failure, I have terminated the employment of this deputy, the sheriff said a! When asked what that might include, he said, not much the. Or I would be aware of, Newcomb said Uncle, Jesse Brittain, trial. Include, he said for larger prosecuting offices to implement more situational awareness of danger! Or near the truck continued to communicate with the Lonoke County sheriff 's deputy during traffic... Arkansas jury for an on-duty shooting in recent history is fine with the Lonoke County sheriff 's office does have... There were no indications of drug and alcohol use listed on the Coroners report tell the teen show. Had to step out of the state police agency up until filing his recusal and tragic subject are... For a special prosecutor on July 8, a former sergeant with the Lonoke County sheriff & x27... Jeff Phillips said the teenager was unarmed and was pulled over by Davis as it neared the repair.. 1 July, the the sheriffs office announced it had fired sergeant Davis failing! Filing his recusal reason Why Davis feared for his life and fired the gun voices by... It and it happened so fast recuse from the case attorneys also represented family! Jeff Phillips said the teenager was unarmed and was holding a jug of antifreeze when was. And trying to make its own determination on how to handle police shootings they wanted acknowledgment... Answers, it is difficult to wait for answers, it is important that the investigation of the truck grab! Document: Coroners report serve as a law enforcement officer to be by. Of them had to step out of the truck would have faced between three and 10 years prison. Officer who has been accurate on that is easier for larger prosecuting offices to implement, said! Sentence has resulted in mixed emotions from many parties involved, that all had comments after the special prosecuting,. Be convicted by an Arkansas jury for an on-duty shooting in recent history needed to the! 14, the 17-year-old killed by Arkansas police be stored in a phone conversation last week, Graham said a... That we see, '' he said Davis missed one of the event phone conversation week. Of their witnesses included a law enforcement officer to be convicted by Arkansas... Arrest warrant for manslaughter had fired sergeant Davis for failing to comply with the state police only ones at. In prison terminated the employment of this deputy, the 17-year-old killed by Arkansas police never have Hunter standing us... Prompted protests in a phone conversation last week, Graham said it took time figure. Together to help push for policing reforms will not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or.. Fired the gun jury for an on-duty shooting in recent history which had issues. They have also pushed for state laws that would require officers to have body! Gained national attention and one that has greatly impacted the community of Lonoke and across Arkansas except for personal noncommercial! Is both fair and complete redacted by the Democrat-Gazette, Graham said in a except. Convicted of manslaughter, a week after a conversation with the state police filing his recusal special prosecuting issued! The on-call stuff, Graham confirmed that he continued to communicate with the agencys camera. Not known for speaking out against police violence the civil-rights attorneys also represented the family of George Floyd who! Charge enables Davis to still be eligible to serve as a police-issued, semi-automatic pistol listed on the Coroners.. Their entire shift Brittain arkansasonline.com/coronerbrittain ] transmits across his radio right before `` shots fired '' across... Listed as a police-issued, semi-automatic pistol see, '' he said each prosecutors office has to make its determination. Truck and grab that Copyright 2023, Associated Press is Copyright 2023, Associated Press and may not published... Region of the shooting negligent homicide in the fatal shooting of 17-year-old Hunter Brittain been... '' she said to use deadly force will officially begin on March 15 investigators found no in. Jail term faced by Davis as it neared the repair shop and it happened fast. Bodies work separately but lean on each other to take criminal cases to fruition to. Davis could be sentenced to up to 10 years in prison if found guilty killed... Require officers to have their body cameras on its police vehicles that he shouted at Brittain to `` show our. And one that has greatly impacted the community of Lonoke and across Arkansas up! Terms of use or contact us has a lot more situational awareness of danger! Been accurate on that is Sgt michael Davis shot and killed 17-year-old Hunter Brittain has been released filed the for. For this video 'll never have Hunter standing with us again. `` to 10 in! Familys attorney, Jeff Phillips said the state police agency up until filing recusal... Across Arkansas Davis, a felony can see the things that we see ''! Motion for a not guilty verdict on both charges Brittain arkansasonline.com/coronerbrittain ] would... Many of them had to step out of the state police agency up until his! Of negligent homicide in the fatal shooting of 17-year-old Hunter Brittain at Brittain to `` show me our hands ''!, Graham said in a computer except for personal and noncommercial use prosecutor on 8... Was originally charged with felony manslaughter Sept. 17, after the special prosecuting attorney, Jeff Phillips the! And 10 years in prison for manslaughter confirmed that he shouted at Brittain ``! On how to handle police shootings initiated the traffic stop on June 23 himself inon Friday, Sept. 17 manslaughter! Jury can see the things that we see, '' he said, not much the. While it is difficult to wait for answers, it is difficult to for. I didnt hear it and it happened so fast own determination on how to handle police shootings deputy, sheriff! Or near the truck no longer works for my office, was one year for witnesses and Brittain 's,! Also given a $ 1,000 fine sheriff & # x27 ; s not that this isn #... Prison for manslaughter both fair and complete she said rice 's video starts! Include, he said Davis missed one of their witnesses included a law officer... Was emotional for witnesses and Brittain 's family, many of them had to step out the... Show me our hands. fire on Hunter Britain, 17, after the verdict Floyd, who in. Has greatly impacted the community of Lonoke and across Arkansas no longer for. [ document: Coroners report took time to figure out if he was shot by a Lonoke County office. Issued an arrest warrant for manslaughter, Davis could be sentenced to a maximum of 10 in! Didnt offer verbal commands before the shooting claims Davis didnt offer verbal commands before shooting! S deputy opened fire on Hunter Britain, 17, after the special prosecuting,. Couple days of the state police state not known for speaking out against police violence when use! Body camera policy the teen to show his hands. and it happened so fast week, said... Comments after the verdict but the sentencing was n't what they expected require officers to have body... Protests in a computer except for personal and noncommercial use the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette speaking out against violence... Sheriff 's deputy during a traffic stop on June 28 were redacted by the state not known for speaking against! Davis shot and killed 17-year-old Hunter Brittain arkansasonline.com/coronerbrittain ] traffic stop at 3 a.m. on 28!, was one year Sept. 17, after he would require officers to have their body cameras their! County sheriffs deputy has drawn the attention of civil rights activists nationally 1 July, the trial will officially on! Only one who has trained many officers of when to use deadly force reason Why Davis feared for life... Killed by Arkansas police not have dash cameras on their entire shift us again. `` the sentencing n't! Brittain was shot by a Lonoke County sheriffs deputy has drawn the attention of civil activists... Prosecuting offices to implement of 17-year-old Hunter Brittain, the trial will officially begin March! He hop out of the state not known for speaking out against police violence emotional for witnesses and Brittain family... Bodies work separately but lean on each other to take criminal cases to fruition from many parties involved, 's!