WASHINGTON: The fatal shooting last month of a Black man by law enforcement officers in the US state of North Carolina was “justified” and no one will face charges, the prosecutor in charge of the case, which has drawn scrutiny, said on Tuesday.

The death of Andrew Brown “while tragic, was justified” because his actions led the sheriff’s deputies “to reasonably believe it was necessary to use deadly force to protect themselves and others,” Pasquotank county district attorney Andrew Womble said.

Womble, who was revealing the results of a state investigation, said seven officers went to Brown’s home in Elizabeth City on April 21 — they had arrest and search warrants related to alleged felony drug offenses.

Brown, 42, was in his car outside the home when they arrived. Deputies, their weapons drawn, surrounded the car and asked him to exit, but Brown attempted to drive away.

“The decision to flee, which Brown made on his own, quickly escalated the situation from a show of force to an employment of force,” Womble said, adding that Brown had steered his vehicle towards one of the officers.

“The facts of this case clearly illustrate the officers who used deadly force on Andrew Brown, Jr did so reasonably, and only when a violent felon used a deadly weapon to place their lives in danger.” “No officer will be criminally charged,” Womble said.

Published in Dawn, May 19th, 2021