An Orange County grand jury has cleared an officer from the Ocoee Police Department of any criminal acts in a shooting incident that took place in February 2024, as a statement from the State Attorney's Office detailed. The incident in question occurred following a reported shoplifting at a Walmart located on West Colonial Drive, where the suspect fled, ultimately leading to a vehicular chase that culminated near Old Winter Garden Road and Ohio Avenue.
The pursuit reached a dramatic climax as the vehicle, in a desperate bid to evade capture, maneuvered recklessly through a hospital parking lot during one of the busiest hours of the day, causing it to slam into an officer's patrol car and subsequently rush over bushes while forcing its way against lanes of oncoming traffic, the officer in pursuit felt a threat enough to discharge his weapon, the passenger, only 16-years-old, believed to be armed was struck by the officer's shot but has since made a full recovery. The State Attorney's Office provided this information. Emergency services, including law enforcement, were cited to have responded promptly with aid, which was instrumental in the teen's recovery.
The state attorney's use-of-force policy mandates that a grand jury review all instances where law enforcement officers deploy deadly force to decide whether to file criminal charges. The grand jury was presented with all the essential testimony and evidence about this specific case. They returned a no-true bill, indicating that they found no grounds for an indictment.
In addition to the review, the grand jury holds the option to issue statements or recommendations on the policies and practices surrounding the use of deadly force by police. However, in this situation, no such comments or suggestions were put forward as part of their decision. The grand jury also declined to produce any presentation or to comment on the events leading up to the February shooting.
Following the grand jury's decision, the state attorney’s office closed the use-of-force case against the officer involved.
