No charges will be filed against the Charlotte Mecklenburg Police Officers who shot and killed a man after he ambushed them with gunfire outside of CMPD headquarters.
Just before 11:00 p.m. on Jan. 11, 23-year-old Jonathan Bennett drove his white Ford Expedition into the parking lot of the Law Enforcement Center (LEC) located at 601 E. Trade St. where several police officers were standing having a briefing on a case.
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He got out of the car and while walking in the direction of the main entrance to the LEC began firing at the officers congregated in the parking lot, hitting one officer, Casey Shue, in the upper thigh.
The district attorney says the gunfire exchange lasted approximately six to 10 seconds.
Officers Dwain Johnson, Jason Dzierzynski, Jeffrey Zederbaum, and Jared Decker returned fire, striking Bennett. Bennett was detained and transported to the Carolinas Medical Center- Main where he was pronounced dead at 11:15 p.m.
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Bennett had been on the run much of the day leading up to the shooting after investigators say he killed his wife and kidnapped his 3-month-old child.
Following a detailed investigation into the shooting and Bennett’s subsequent death, the Mecklenburg County District Attorney decided not to file charges against the officers who shot Bennett:
Other officers who were involved in the investigation include:
- Officer M. Romero
- Officer J. Baker
- Officer C. Shue
- Detective S. Strayer
- Officer M. Epolito
- Officer J. Burch
- Officer P. Banham
- Detective D. Federowicz
- Detective S. Adcox
The officers involved were interviews and their body worn camera footage from the night of the ambush was reviewed. The District Attorney’s office released the transcripts of the interviews with officers, as well as the details of Bennett’s autopsy. You can view the full report by clicking here, or scrolling below.
