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Tupelo Officer Cleared in Fatal Shooting
A federal investigation into the fatal shooting of Antwun Shumpert by Tupelo police officer Tyler Cook has concluded without charges. The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Mississippi and the Civil Rights Division of the Justice Department announced the decision on [current date].
According to the investigation, on June 18, 2016, Cook was among the officers who responded to a call for assistance after Shumpert, who was driving a tan car, fled from a traffic stop. Cook stopped his car on Harrison Street and got out, along with his patrol dog, which led him to a ditch behind a house where Shumpert was hiding. Cook reported that he drew his weapon, ordered Shumpert to come out, and instructed his dog to bite him. The dog bit Shumpert on the arm, and a struggle ensued.
Cook claimed that Shumpert punched the dog and grabbed its head, but managed to escape by taking off his shirt, which the dog was holding. Cook said he landed a couple of punches on Shumpert before Shumpert forced him to the ground. Once on the ground, Cook stated that he was punching with both hands, including the hand that was holding his gun, and may have struck Shumpert with his gun.
The investigation, which included a review of witness interviews, the autopsy report, crime-scene reports, and surveillance video, found that the evidence was insufficient to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that Cook violated federal civil rights laws. Under the applicable federal criminal civil rights statute, prosecutors would be required to establish that Cook acted with the deliberate and specific intent to do something the law forbids.
Shumpert’s family met with officials from the U.S. Attorney’s Office and the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division to inform them of the decision. The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Mississippi, the Civil Rights Division, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation conducted a comprehensive, independent review of the circumstances related to Shumpert’s death.
In a statement, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Mississippi acknowledged that the investigation was thorough and independent, and that the decision not to pursue federal charges was made after careful consideration of the evidence. The statement emphasized that the highest standard of intent imposed by law requires proof that the officer acted with deliberate and specific intent to do something the law forbids, which was not established in this case.
Tyler Cook, Fatal Shooting, Mississippi 2016
Defendant: Tyler Cook
Criminal Charges: None filed
City and State: Tupelo, Mississippi
Exact Date: June 18, 2016
Sentence or Outcome: No charges filed
Key Facts
- State: Mississippi
- Category: Violent Crime
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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