Miami-Dade taser shooting ruled justified
https://www.miamiherald.com/news/loc...216586065.html
An investigative summary from the Florida Department of Law Enforcement says Neubauer and Officer Richard Bellon were trying to get Parker to allow medics to check him for injuries. When Parker refused, Neubauer pulled out his Taser and threatened to "light him up." Parker then grabbed Bellon's Taser, and Neubauer fired his own Taser at Parker.
Bellon and Neubauer quickly pointed their guns at Parker, who refused to drop the stolen Taser. The officers said they fired shots at Parker when he pointed the Taser toward them. Parker was airlifted to the hospital with gunshot wounds to his right knee and left thigh.
After the shooting, Neubauer told Bellon he had not been sure whether Parker had grabbed Bellon's Taser or his gun, according to body-worn camera footage.
Parker was subsequently charged with aggravated assault, resisting arrest, and depriving an officer of his weapon. Like C.P., he has a history of mental illness. Although the criminal charges against Parker are pending, court records show his competency has been called into question and a psychological evaluation has been ordered before his case can move forward.
In the March 2018 shooting of Jahmal Parker, however, Rundle's office cleared Neubauer and Bellon relatively quickly. After a six-month investigation, prosecutors determined that Neubauer and Bellon were within their rights to shoot Parker because he had pointed a Taser at the officers and refused to drop it.
"Taking into account Mr. Parker's actions, it is reasonable to believe that the shooting officers considered it necessary to use deadly force to prevent injury to themselves and others," reads a close-out memo dated October 2, 2018. "Therefore, we find that Officer Richard Bellon and Officer Ronald Neubauer were legally justified in using deadly force by firing their weapons. No criminal charges will be filed."
