Attorney for N.C. officer who killed unarmed FAMU alum says shooting was “justified”

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A defense attorney for Randall Kerrick, the Charlotte police officer who killed an unarmed FAMU alumnus, says the shooting was “justified.”

On September 14, Kerrick fired twelve rounds at Jonathan A. Ferrell, a 24-year old Tallahassee native and former FAMU football player who was searching for help after an automobile accident. Ten of those shots hit his body. He died at the scene.

Michael Greene, a lawyer for Kerrick, defended his client’s actions.

“His actions were justified on the night in question,” Greene said in a quote published by The Associated Press.

Ferrell crashed his car late in the early hours of Saturday morning in Charlotte and then sought help by knocking on the door of a nearby house. The homeowner, Sarah McCartney, said she feared for her safety when she heard the noise.

“I woke up around 2:30 a.m, and there was a strange man kicking and banging violently on the door,” McCartney said in a quote published by NBC News. “I feared for my life and my son’s life.”

“I thought something had happened to my husband so I opened the door, realized it wasn’t him and shut the door,” she continued.

McCartney called 9-1-1. When three police officers arrived, Ferrell ran in their direction. After one officer unsuccessfully attempted to use a Taser on Ferrell, Kerrick began firing his gun.

Kerrick now faces a voluntary manslaughter charge. The Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department released at statement on the incident that read, in part:

“The investigation showed that the initial encounter of Mr. Ferrell and Officer Kerrick was appropriate and lawful. The evidence revealed that Mr. Ferrell did advance on Officer Kerrick and the investigation showed that the subsequent shooting of Mr. Ferrell was excessive and violated (G.S. 14-18 (voluntary manslaughter). Our investigation has shown that Officer Kerrick did not have a lawful right to discharge his weapon during this encounter.”

“This is a very unfortunate incident and it has devastated a family as well as caused a great deal of sadness and anxiety in our organization. However we must always strive to bring forth all facts and evidence in every case to determine when it is appropriate to place criminal charges against a member of the department.”
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