No Charges Against Officer in Lincoln Shooting
By: Amanda Ashley
Updated: May 8, 2012
3 months ago KNWA first told you about an officer involved shooting in the town of Lincoln. Monday, a decision was handed down on if the officer's actions were reasonable. Special Prosecutor H.G. Foster out of Little Rock ruled the shooting justified.
In early February, Lincoln Officer Chris Williams went to check on a suspicious car near Rheas Road just north of Lincoln Lake. The police department says the 17-year-old driver sped away, hit a fence, and then took off running into some woods.
Officer Williams caught up with the teen and claims the suspect pulled out a knife. That is when Officer Williams opened fire, hitting the teenager in the leg. The case was handed over to special prosecutor, H.G. Foster, who tells KNWA the knife was never located.
However, Foster ruled there was no way to prove Officer Williams did not perceive a threat. During the 3-month investigation Officer Williams was placed on paid administrative leave, costing Lincoln taxpayers more than 7,800 dollars.
Some in Lincoln say the time it took to investigate was needed. "I think they need to take as long as they can to get it right," said one woman. "I'm not that concerned about the Lincoln police department," said a man. "No, I think they should have figured it out by now," said another man.
Foster says no charges will be filed against Officer Williams. Foster says in order for charges to be filed, he would have had to to prove that it was unreasonable for the officer to perceive the threat of deadly force. According to Foster, that could not be proven without a reasonable doubt.
In early February, Lincoln Officer Chris Williams went to check on a suspicious car near Rheas Road just north of Lincoln Lake. The police department says the 17-year-old driver sped away, hit a fence, and then took off running into some woods.
Officer Williams caught up with the teen and claims the suspect pulled out a knife. That is when Officer Williams opened fire, hitting the teenager in the leg. The case was handed over to special prosecutor, H.G. Foster, who tells KNWA the knife was never located.
However, Foster ruled there was no way to prove Officer Williams did not perceive a threat. During the 3-month investigation Officer Williams was placed on paid administrative leave, costing Lincoln taxpayers more than 7,800 dollars.
Some in Lincoln say the time it took to investigate was needed. "I think they need to take as long as they can to get it right," said one woman. "I'm not that concerned about the Lincoln police department," said a man. "No, I think they should have figured it out by now," said another man.
Foster says no charges will be filed against Officer Williams. Foster says in order for charges to be filed, he would have had to to prove that it was unreasonable for the officer to perceive the threat of deadly force. According to Foster, that could not be proven without a reasonable doubt.
