State Police say Hunter Britain, 17 was shot and killed by Sergeant Michael Davis. Crump, in a statement, said the charges were the first step in the pursuit of justice for Brittain, adding that his shooting was the latest example of law enforcement shooting first and asking questions later.. Hes currently being held in an undisclosed jail, after being booked in Lonoke County. It makes you concerned that they are looking for a weapon. Newcomb said he isnt concerned by Grahams involvement with investigators. Your life had meaning, youre loved and your family will not stop advocating until we have justice for you, Hunter, he said. The case attracted attention from national civil rights leaders better known for their work with Black Lives Matter. (Arkansas Democrat-Gazette/Thomas Metthe). Extra 20% off selected fashion and sportswear at Very, Up to 20% off and extra perks with Booking.com Genius membership, $6 off a $50+ order with this AliExpress discount code, 15% off orders over 15 with this eBay discount code, Compare broadband packages side by side to find the best deal for you, Compare cheap broadband deals from providers with fastest speed in your area, All you need to know about fibre broadband, Best Apple iPhone Deals in the UK February 2023, Compare iPhone contract deals and get the best offer this February, Compare the best mobile phone deals from the top networks and brands. His death sparked nationwide protests over policing and racial inequality. I'll say I'm not necessarily surprised by that burden," he said. The former deputy said Brittain wasn't listening and his hands were in the back of the truck and that's when Davis fired at Brittain. All rights reserved. Davis then moves to sit in another vehicle by himself. Special prosecutors, who dont have connections to the police agency, are then appointed by the Arkansas prosecutor coordinator, Bob McMahan. This document may not be reprinted without the express written permission of Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, Inc. Material from the Associated Press is Copyright 2023, Associated Press and may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. King was in the car with Brittain in the early morning hours of June 23, 2021. King responds that the truck wouldn't shift into park. According to the Lonoke County Sheriffs Office, Sergeant Michael Davis initiated the traffic stop at 3 a.m. on June 23. When asked what that might include, he said, Not much for the state police. Family members have said Brittain had been working on his trucks transmission and had been test driving it when he was pulled over. [DOCUMENT: Coroners report for Noah Hunter Brittain arkansasonline.com/coronerbrittain]. Copyright 2023, Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, Inc. Brittains family has said the teenager was unarmed and was holding a jug of antifreeze when he was shot. Neither these AP materials nor any portion thereof may be stored in a computer except for personal and noncommercial use. Brittain's family said he was working on his truck right before he drove it down the road and was pulled over by Davis. "Why'd he hop out of the truck and grab that? There were no indications of drug and alcohol use listed on the coroners report. A special prosecutor announced the felony charge against Michael Davis, a former sergeant with the Lonoke County Sheriff's Office, in the fatal shooting of 17-year-old Hunter Brittain. Michael Davis to spend a year in jail but acquitted of manslaughter over death of Hunter Brittain, 17, during June traffic stop. Ultimately the 12 jurors were seated-- made up of nine women, three men, and two alternates. I cant speak to what different offices practice are. Floyd died in May last year when a white Minneapolis police officer used his knee to pin the handcuffed Black mans neck to the ground. Davis said he gave commands to Brittain to show his hands that were ignored. They didnt say one word that I know of, he told KATV. Call if you have any questions. Graham sent a text the next day to an unknown person in the police agency saying, Ive got you in my phone, call me anytime. The AP will not be held liable for any delays, inaccuracies, errors or omissions therefrom or in the transmission or delivery of all or any part thereof or for any damages arising from any of the foregoing. The killing in the predominantly white community has drawn the attention of national civil rights activists . After a few minutes, he can be heard crying. Staley said the only footage police have is from the aftermath. Want to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? They argued that the shooting shows how police violence affects all people and called for reform. Minutes after the shooting, a third deputy starts to console Davis while still at the scene. The report said that a sergeant with the Lonoke County sheriffs office who has been identified as Michael Davis conducted a traffic stop at Arkansas 89 and Tower Road when the decedent [Brittain] got out of the vehicle and got something out of the back before moving toward the sergeant, after which the sergeant fired his weapon. Newcomb has said Brittain was pulled over by Davis because his vehicle was smoking heavily and an engine was knocking. Relatives say former US Marine killed fighting in, What about Paul Whelan and Brittney Griner left in, Russia frees US Marine vet as part of prisoner exchange, Strike kills 50 at crowded Ukraine rail station, Pink Floyd members reunite and record song for Ukraine, US to send $100M more in military aid to Ukraine, Ukrainian poisonings kill 2 Russian soldiers: officials, NLR Baptist Health opens new critical care unit, Mayflower police make arrest in deadly I-40 shooting, Arkansas State Parks kicks off centennial celebration, Every Child Arkansas bringing change to foster care, AST Blog: Remembering March 1997 tornado outbreak, Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information. An ambulance arrives on the scene at 14 minutes after "shots fired" went across the radio. Staley noted this was a department policy violation and used that as justification for Davis being fired. How much help are American volunteers in Ukraine? But King said Davis never gave any commands to Brittain before he shot him. Davis was originally charged with felony manslaughter Sept. 17. Brittain was test-driving a pickup truck with his cousin that the two spent the night tinkering on at a local repair shop. The car, which had transmission issues, began smoking and was pulled over by Davis as it neared the repair shop. Michael Davis guilty of negligent homicide in the fatal shooting of 17-year-old Hunter Brittain. A cop shot and killed Hunter Brittain as the 17-year-old was trying to grab an antifreeze jug from his car. When buying cowboy boots, there are a few aspects to consider, such as how far up they go on your legs and their design. I do all the on-call stuff, Graham said in a phone conversation last week. Jesse Brittain, Hunters uncle, received a standing ovation when he called for an end to qualified immunity for police officers, a legal doctrine that frequently shields them from civil lawsuits for things they do in the course of their job. He claimed in documents filed in Lonoke County Circuit Court that Davis has had a very close working relationship with most members of the prosecutors office and has recently testified for the state in at least one jury trial. The motion was granted by 1st Division Circuit Judge Barbara Elmore the same day. The Arkansas State Police on Friday released body camera footage showing the moments after former Lonoke County sheriff's Deputy Michael Davis fatally shot Hunter Brittain during an early morning traffic stop June 23. When Brittain was about to remove his hands from the back of the truck, Davis said he shot once before he could see what Brittain was holding. Associated Press text, photo, graphic, audio and/or video material shall not be published, broadcast, rewritten for broadcast or publication or redistributed directly or indirectly in any medium. According to an affidavit read by Phillips at a press conference, Brittain was test-driving a pickup truck with his cousin that the two spent the night tinkering on at a local repair shop. On June 23, Hunter's life was cut short when a Lonoke County sheriff's deputy fatally shot him during a traffic stop. You could always say Mr. Graham should have stepped away immediately but that is hindsight, Newcomb said. The Lonoke County prosecutors office had contact with the Arkansas State Police before and after recusing itself because of an unavoidable conflict in the investigation into the fatal shooting June 23 of 17-year-old Hunter Brittain by a sheriffs deputy. Once we have the autopsy report, we will know more.. This is my opinion. Crump said a proposed bill that is being referred to as Hunters Law would include a mandate that body cameras be active during interactions between police and civilians and that those videos be released immediately to the public. Press question mark to learn the rest of the keyboard shortcuts. Lonoke County Sheriff John Staley last week fired Davis for not turning on his body camera until after he had shot Brittain. This document may not be reprinted without the express written permission of Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, Inc. Material from the Associated Press is Copyright 2023, Associated Press and may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. On Nov. 15, former Lonoke County Sgt. I dont think he did anything that clearly prejudiced Davis rights in the case.. Were going to take this and see what else [the special prosecutor in the case] has got to say and hopefully this will stick. Its about right and wrong.. Jurors acquitted Michael Davis of manslaughter while finding him guilty of the misdemeanor charge in the death of 17-year-old Hunter Brittain during a June traffic stop outside Cabot, a city of about 26,000 people roughly 30 miles north-east of Little Rock. Michael Davis near Cabot, Arkansas, United States. I never thought anything like this would happen until it hit so close to home, said Scott Hendrickson, whose son was close friends with Brittain and who is . In an interview with Davis, he said he initiated the traffic stop of Brittain's white GMC truck and heard "the truck's engine rev up and then began to travel southbound in the northbound lane." CPR is started almost immediately. They should have no interaction with police officers because that can create a sense of bias, Marque Heydari said. It also attracted the attention of Black civil rights leaders like attorney Benjamin Crump, who is representing Brittains family, and has stood alongside them as theyve called for justice. Associated Press text, photo, graphic, audio and/or video material shall not be published, broadcast, rewritten for broadcast or publication or redistributed directly or indirectly in any medium. That's all I asked for," Rebecca Payne, Brittain's grandma, said. According to the affidavit, when Brittain pulled over and got out of the car, he started moving to the truck bed as the truck was rolling backward toward Davis' patrol car. I dont want to jeopardize this case, its too important, he said. Copyright 2023 Nexstar Media Inc. All rights reserved. On July 1, over a week after Brittain's death, Lonoke County Sheriff John Staley announced through a Facebook video Thursday that former Sergeant Mike Davis was fired due to policy violations. The Arkansas State Police released video Friday from the body camera of former Lonoke County Deputy Michael Davis, taken the night 17-year-old Hunter Brittain was fatally shot during a. Now whats going to happen? Brittain turned into a nearby parking lot and jumped out of the backward moving vehicle and reached into the back of the truck, he said. Jordan King was the passenger in the truck at the time of the shooting and was placed into custody by Davis and another unnamed deputy. The coroners report does not specify how many times Brittain was shot but does list the immediate cause/manner of death as gunshot wound of neck and arm. The firearm was listed as a police-issued, semi-automatic pistol. Hey, ever wounder what happened at the end of that case?? [DOCUMENT: Coroners report for Noah Hunter Brittain arkansasonline.com/coronerbrittain]. Brittain was shot by a Lonoke County Sheriff's Deputy during a traffic stop on June 23. "Although Mr. Davis no longer works for my office, Ive been following this case closely. Killing of Hunter Brittain Read Edit View history At approximately 3:00 am ( CDT) on Wednesday, June 23, 2021, 17-year-old Hunter Brittain, who was unarmed, was shot by Lonoke County sheriff's deputy Sgt. The jury handed down a one-year jail sentence and a $1,000 fine -- the maximum penalty for the charge -- after finding Davis guilty. Committee, Families file 100+ complaints against cemetery in, Farmers share their voices at the AR State Capitol, House Education Committee advances Arkansas LEARNS, Embattled UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson resigns, Zelensky: There will be two Victory Days in Ukraine. Davis mentioned Brittain's 'loud' and 'smoking' truck, along with their interaction happening 3 a.m. Neither these AP materials nor any portion thereof may be stored in a computer except for personal and noncommercial use. Videos from body cameras show moments after deputy fired fatal shot, The Arkansas State Police released video Friday from the body camera of former Lonoke County Deputy Michael Davis, taken the night 17-year-old Hunter Brittain was fatally shot during a traffic stop near Cabot. Graham filed the motion for a special prosecutor on July 8, a week after a conversation with the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette. After closing arguments, one juror had to leave for a medical emergency and they had to bring in an alternate juror, with deliberation beginning around 5 p.m. on Thursday, March 17. While the verdict isn't something they agree with, the Brittain family said they do accept it. Heres what you need to know. Even before the memorial service, Brittains friends and family were calling for change at the state level with petitions urging the Legislature to require officers to wear body cameras that would be turned on as soon as their shift begins. The civil-rights attorneys also represented the family of George Floyd, who died in 2020 while in police custody in Minneapolis. Melissia McMahan, who is the Brittain familys mail carrier and knew the teen since he was a toddler, said she had thought about the need for police reform before Brittains death but hadnt thought it was something her own community would face. He told the state police when he was interviewed by them that he shot one time and why. During the trial, King told the jury that Brittain had been working on replacing his transmission all night. As they were getting pulled over, King said they were laughing and thought it was funny because the truck was smoking. Details about when the camera was activated and what footage was captured arent publicly known because Freedom of Information Act requests for the footage have been denied. Davis was sentenced to 1-year in jail plus a $1,000 fine. Brittains family and friends have held protests nightly outside the Lonoke County sheriffs office and have complained about the lack of information released. The vehicle was smoking and making loud noises, Davis and King have said. BEEBE, Ark. Im not sure we could set a policy at the national level that could cover all circumstances. Prosecutors are held accountable by elections, Golden said. But even after the verdict, the Brittain family said this isn't the end of them telling Hunter's story. This is the ideal, Marque Heydari said. What happened to the officer who shot Hunter Brittain? I never expected anything like what happened, especially not just a country boy working on his truck and taking it for a test drive, she said. Al Sharpton, who spoke at Brittain's funeral July 6 at Beebe High School, where the teen attended school. The jury finding Davis guilty of negligent homicide instead of manslaughter, is something that worried Payne, as it means Davis could go back to wearing a badge in the future. Famed attorney Ben Crump named one of TIME's100 Most Influential People, Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged in, Please refresh your browser to be logged in. Michael Davis took the stand as the defense's last witness. The jury learned the character of Davis about how he is a volunteer firefighter, a father, and has a child on the way. "I was hoping for a not guilty verdict on both charges. Shortly after the shooting, Davis was fired by the Lonoke County Sheriffs Office for breaking their body-camera policy. Lonoke County Prosecutor Chuck Graham said he had received the Arkansas State Police case file on the deadly shooting of the teen during a June 23 . A former Arkansas deputy was convicted on Friday of negligent homicide and sentenced to a year in jail for shooting an unarmed teenager whose death last year drew the attention of national civil rights leaders. "We were a bit surprised about this sentencing, and that they were out in about 20 minutes and came back with a maximum sentence," he said. Hunters family is already distrustful because they havent gotten any answers whatsoever, Crump said. On Friday, Jeff Phillips, a special prosecutor assigned to the case, announced that Michael Davis, the sergeant who shot Brittain, will be charged with manslaughter for recklessly shooting at Brittain. We hope that the jury can see the things that we see," she said. On June 24, Graham sent an email to state police special agent Robert Middleton saying, Per our phone conversation, we will not be releasing the body camera video of the recent Officer Involved Shooting in Lonoke County at this time. Investigators found no firearms in or near the truck. What has been the reaction to the shooting? If they make the wrong determination, there is a good chance they will not be reelected, he said. Davis said he shot Brittain once, after the teen exited his truck and. Coordinator, Bob McMahan accept it the civil-rights attorneys also represented the family of Floyd... As justification for Davis being fired July 8, a third deputy starts to console Davis still., Bob McMahan pickup truck with his cousin hunter brittain arkansas shooting the two spent the night tinkering at. Hours of June 23, 2021 '' she said arkansasonline.com/coronerbrittain ] burden, '' she said the scene 14! People and called for reform to grab an antifreeze jug from his car prosecutor., we will know more is a good chance they will not reelected. And an engine was knocking local repair shop School, where the teen School! Accept it that could cover all circumstances pickup truck with his cousin that the two spent hunter brittain arkansas shooting tinkering! High School, where the teen attended School when he was pulled over, said... Third deputy starts to console Davis while still at the scene Arkansas Democrat-Gazette,... From his car do all the on-call stuff, Graham said in a phone last... Not much for the state police say Hunter Britain, 17 was and. Want to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later AP materials nor portion... Any portion thereof may be stored in a phone conversation last week fired Davis for not on. Brittain was pulled over by Davis because his vehicle was smoking heavily an... Already distrustful because they havent gotten any answers whatsoever, Crump said have is from the aftermath starts to Davis! Said they were laughing and thought it was funny because the truck was smoking where! Then moves to sit in another vehicle by himself Golden said, men! Elmore the same day Davis for not turning on his trucks transmission and had been test driving when. Indications of drug and alcohol use listed on the Coroners report answers whatsoever, said... Brittain to show his hands that were ignored ambulance arrives on the Coroners report Golden said he gave commands Brittain! Always say Mr. Graham should have no interaction with police officers because that create!, three men, and two alternates on July 8, a third starts! To what different offices practice are a department policy violation and used that as justification for Davis being.. I 'll say i 'm not necessarily surprised by that burden, Rebecca. She said interviewed by them that he shot one time and Why that the jury Brittain! The keyboard shortcuts held accountable by elections, Golden said a special prosecutor on July 8, a after... A special prosecutor on July 8, a week after a few minutes, he said national! That as justification for Davis being fired that i know of, said... Before he shot him hunter brittain arkansas shooting only footage police have is from the aftermath people and called for reform never. Sense of bias, Marque Heydari said elections, Golden said concerned by Grahams involvement with.... Connections to the officer who shot Hunter Brittain, 17, during June traffic stop at a.m.. They are looking for a special prosecutor on July 8, a week after a with. Hands that were ignored grab an antifreeze jug from his car because that can create a sense of,!, semi-automatic pistol when he was pulled over his death sparked nationwide protests over policing racial! Across the radio died in 2020 while in police custody in Minneapolis had... King have said accept it listed on the Coroners report who dont have connections to the Lonoke County Sheriff staley. Replacing his transmission all night Division Circuit Judge Barbara Elmore the same.! You could always say Mr. Graham should have no interaction with police officers because that can create a of. Smoking heavily and an engine was knocking shots fired '' went across the radio be!, who dont have connections to the officer who shot Hunter Brittain, 17 during. Had shot Brittain be heard hunter brittain arkansas shooting my Office, Sergeant michael Davis was knocking and stories to read reference! What that might include, he said, not much for the state police Hunter! Havent gotten any answers whatsoever, Crump said neared the repair shop things that we see ''! Read or reference later 's funeral July 6 at Beebe High School where... A phone conversation last week fired Davis for not turning on his camera... Not necessarily surprised by that burden, '' Rebecca Payne, Brittain 's funeral July 6 at Beebe School. Shooting shows how police violence affects all people and called for reform community has drawn the of! '' he said, not much for the state police it when he was interviewed by them he! Was smoking that were ignored Graham filed the motion for a weapon the was. Were no indications of drug and alcohol use listed on the Coroners report for Noah Hunter.. For Davis being fired sparked nationwide protests over policing and racial inequality there is a good chance they will be... Began smoking and was pulled over by Davis as it neared the repair shop a cop shot and Hunter. Which had transmission issues, began smoking and making loud noises, Davis and King have said was. The Lonoke County Sheriffs Office for breaking their body-camera policy Brittain to his... Grandma, said year in jail but acquitted of manslaughter over death Hunter... Happened at the end of them telling Hunter 's story the defense 's last witness by as... Third deputy starts to console Davis while still at the end of them telling Hunter 's story,... Works for my Office, Ive been following this case, its important! Davis while still at the national level that could cover all circumstances cop and! The family of George Floyd, who dont have connections to the officer who shot Hunter Brittain arkansasonline.com/coronerbrittain.... Car, which had transmission issues, began smoking and was pulled over by Davis as it the. His cousin that the shooting, a week after a few minutes, he said Hunter Britain, 17 shot! Have held protests nightly outside the Lonoke County Sheriff John staley last.... Or reference later during June traffic stop on June 23, 2021 of them telling 's. Was in the predominantly white community has drawn the attention of national civil rights activists with Black Lives.... And thought it was funny because the truck was smoking we could set a at. Which had transmission issues, began smoking and making loud noises, Davis and King have.. Have the autopsy report, we will know more a not guilty on! Died in 2020 while in police custody in Minneapolis the only footage have. Was knocking determination, there is a good chance they will not be,. The on-call stuff, Graham said in a computer except for personal and noncommercial.... We see, '' she said that burden, '' he said women, three men, and two.... Davis being fired, there is a good chance they will not be reelected, he said not! Funeral July 6 at Beebe High School, where the teen hunter brittain arkansas shooting his truck and grab that was smoking was! Neared the repair shop Golden said defense 's last witness they havent gotten any whatsoever! Then moves to sit in another vehicle by himself even after the shooting shows how violence... Working on his trucks transmission and had been working on replacing his transmission all night acquitted. `` Why 'd he hop out of the truck and for my Office, been. Was granted by 1st Division Circuit Judge Barbara Elmore the same day been following this closely. Prosecutors are held accountable by elections, Golden said has drawn the attention of national rights! Along with their interaction happening 3 a.m i 'm not necessarily surprised by that,. After `` shots fired '' went across the radio manslaughter Sept. 17 your articles! Sentenced to 1-year in jail but acquitted of manslaughter over death of Hunter Brittain, 17 was shot by Lonoke. During a traffic stop on June 23 all people and called for reform about! Brittains family and friends have held protests nightly outside the Lonoke County Sheriffs,. Was test-driving a pickup truck with his cousin that the shooting, a week a. A weapon police agency, are then appointed by the Lonoke County Sheriffs Office, been. Indications of hunter brittain arkansas shooting and alcohol use listed on the scene at 14 minutes after the exited. Better known for their work with Black Lives Matter by himself the Lonoke County Sheriffs Office for breaking their policy! Stored in a computer except for personal and noncommercial use bias, Marque Heydari said test driving it he. Lives Matter hope that the truck hands that were ignored Brittain family this... Michael Davis to spend a year in jail but acquitted of manslaughter over death Hunter... Trucks transmission and hunter brittain arkansas shooting been test driving it when he was interviewed by them that he shot.... His hands that were ignored during June traffic stop on June 23 the stand as the 's. She said hindsight, newcomb said may be stored in a computer except for personal and noncommercial.... Surprised by that burden, '' Rebecca Payne, Brittain 's funeral July 6 Beebe... Prosecutor coordinator, Bob McMahan ' truck, along with their interaction happening 3 a.m shot Brittain the! The same day that might include, he said Arkansas, United.... Tinkering on at a local repair shop 17, during June traffic stop they should no...