Prosecutor Finds TCPD Shooting Justified, No Officers to Be Charged

Grand Traverse County Prosecuting Attorney Noelle Moeggenberg announced Friday that after "thoroughly reviewing" body cam footage and an investigative report from the Michigan State Police, she found the fatal shooting of Traverse City man Darnell Wilson by police officers in March to be justified. No officers are expected to be charged in the shooting.

TCPD officers shot and killed 50-year-old Wilson on March 13 after responding to a reported domestic assault at a Munson Place residence. Traverse City Police Department Sgt. Reed Shea, Officer Bridget Rozanski, Officer Corey Bock, and Officer Matthew Kirkey responded to the scene. Grand Traverse County Central Dispatch advised officers that the female 911 caller reported that her boyfriend had attacked her with a knife. Officers were advised Wilson had self-inflicted knife wounds and had also been struck with a knife by the woman. The woman was advised by Central Dispatch to separate and secure herself from Wilson if possible. She was able to lock herself in a bathroom and provided a code for the locked front door for law enforcement.

The TCPD said that after officers entered, Wilson charged at them with a knife and ignored commands to drop the weapon. Officers deployed a taser but that didn't stop Wilson, at which point officers shot and killed him. The officers involved were placed on paid administrative leave while MSP was brought in as an outside agency to investigate the shooting.

Moeggenberg said camera footage and MSP's investigation corroborated TCPD's account. "Body-worn camera video from the incident shows that upon entering, officers immediately identified themselves as police and shouted, 'show us your hands,'" she wrote. "Mr. Wilson got to his feet, holding a knife, and refused to drop the knife despite commands.  Even as Officer Rozanski attempted less lethal force by deploying her taser, Mr. Wilson rushed towards the officers, his right arm in a blocking motion with the knife in his left hand. It was only at this time, when the threat of loss of life for fellow officers and themselves, that Sgt. Shea and Officer Bock discharged their duty weapons at Mr. Wilson."

The following is a timeline of events from the body-worn camera of Officer Bock, provided by Moeggenberg.
4:50:46pm Officer Bock enters the code into the digital touch pad on the door.
4:50:53 pm Officer Bock opens the door.
4:50:54 pm Officer Rozanski gives commands into the apartment identifying them as city police and stating, "Hands, let me see your hands," "Put your hands up, hands up.""
4:51:03 pm Officer Bock enters the apartment identifying them as police.
4:51:06 pm Voice heard coming from inside the apartment saying, "Help us."
4:51:08 pm Mr. Wilson first observed on BWC lying on his right side on the floor facing away from officers. There is noticeable blood on the floor and on Mr. Wilson.
4:51:10 pm Mr. Wilson rolls onto his stomach with arms underneath his body.
4:51:11 pm Officer Bock continues to give verbal commands to Wilson who begins to get to his knees and forearms.
4:51:13 pm Officer Bock continues to verbal commands as Wilson gets to his knees. A knife can be seen in Wilson's left hand.
4:51:14 pm Officer Bock gives commands to drop the knife as Wilson gets to his feet and advances towards officers with his right arm raised in front of his face and the knife in his left hand. Taser arcing can be heard at this time.
4:51:15 pm Officer Bock continues to give commands to drop the knife. Officers begin retreating backwards. Taser arcing sound can still be heard. Wilson continues to advance towards officers with knife in his left hand. Wilson makes contact with Officer Rozanski with his right arm still raised. The first shots are fired.
4:51:18 pm Wilson falls to the ground facedown. Last rounds are heard being fired. Taser arcing sound can still be heard.

Shea then notified dispatch of shots fired, with officers retreating. Despite medical attention once the scene was secured, Wilson was pronounced dead at the scene. An autopsy performed at WMU School of Medicine listed the cause of death as multiple gunshot and stab wounds.

Michigan law allows an individual "who has not or is not engaged in the commission of a crime to use deadly force when the individual honestly and reasonably believes that the use of deadly force is necessary to prevent the imminent death of or imminent great bodily harm to himself or herself or to another individual," Moeggenberg wrote. The question is "whether or not officers were justified in using lethal force against Mr. Wilson...applying this law to the facts presented, there is no doubt that the officers were justified in the use of deadly force," she said.

With no criminal charges to be filed, TCPD said Friday in a statement that the department will "now conduct an internal review, per department policy, as part of the process of restoring officers to full active duty." The statement continued:

"The Traverse City Police Department acknowledges the seriousness of this incident and its impact on those involved, our community, and beyond. The incident underscores the risks law enforcement officers may encounter with little warning in the course of their daily duties. The Traverse City Police Department remains committed to providing excellence in public safety and service and will continue to do so through its community policing approach, policies, procedures, and ongoing training."

Chief Matt Richmond thanked the community "for its continued support and for allowing this investigation to be completed with patience and understanding. Challenging moments like this test the strength of our community, and I am grateful for the foundation we’ve built together through collaboration and conversation."