On Monday, the Macomb police department shared edited footage of the incident involving Lt. Nick Goc and Officer Korri Cameron. The decision to release the footage came after a special prosecutor found no grounds to arrest the officers.
It is a standard procedure for police officers to be placed on leave, which is precisely what happened in this case.
On March 16, a tragic incident occurred in an apartment in Macomb due to a domestic violence episode, resulting in a shooting. The family members identified the victim as Terrell Marshawn Miller, who was a young individual.
Keianna Miller, his mother, fondly recalls her son as an intelligent and incredible child who had a soft spot for Spider-Man.
In her emotional statement, she expressed, “He was my pride and joy. I truly believe that if he had gotten the chance to grow up, he would have made a significant impact on this world.” The authorities reported that Goc and Cameron reached the apartment around 10 p.m. after receiving various 911 calls. As per the report, one of the callers reported hearing gunshots.
According to police, a woman’s cries for help and her statement “He’s stabbing me” prompted officers to enter the apartment forcefully.
As the video starts, we can see a woman running into a living room in a hurry. She then quickly informs the officers present that her son is in another room. It is heartbreaking to hear the screams of the child coming from the other room.
In the body camera video, the police officer is heard ordering the injured woman to evacuate the house and seek safety. The video further reveals that what unfolds next happens within a few seconds.
According to officials, Miller found her boyfriend Anthony George in an intoxicated state when she returned home from a family vacation. She put her son to bed and attempted to persuade George to go to bed as well, so he could sleep off his condition, as per reports.
According to the account given by Miller, Terrell became aware of a commotion in his mother’s room and promptly knocked on the bedroom door. George advised her to return Terrell to bed.
According to the police, Miller stated that she escaped the apartment with her son through a back door. She asserted that George heard her trying to flee when Terrell stumbled down the stairs.
The police arrived shortly after.
In a news release on March 18, it was reported that despite multiple demands, the person holding the firearm refused to drop it, leading to the officer firing their weapon as they feared for their safety.
Marleen Suarez, the attorney for Miller, raised concerns as to why the police officers did not attempt to defuse the tense situation.
During Monday’s press conference, she expressed her disbelief towards the lack of de-escalation and negotiations. She pointed out how it’s hard to imagine that he didn’t pause and consider his actions in the heat of the moment. She also stated her uncertainty about what made him believe that he could make that shot.
According to Suarez, the officer’s round hit Terrell in the head and George in the neck approximately 16 seconds after the police forced entry into the apartment.
According to Suarez, Keianna Miller made it clear to the authorities that her baby boy was still in the apartment as she was being escorted out. She expressed her concern for her child’s safety, stating that he was in his bedroom at the time. The authorities were fully aware that there was a child in the apartment, as stated by Suarez during a press briefing.
After conducting an investigation, the Illinois State Police handed over the case to the McDonough County State’s Attorney’s Office. Following a thorough review, the state’s attorney’s appellate prosecutor determined that the officers involved would not be facing any charges.
According to NBC affiliate WGEM of Quincy, Special Prosecutor Jonathan H. Barnard wrote a letter to the county state’s attorney on July 8, stating that he reviewed the evidence and concluded that “there is no basis for any criminal action or prosecution that is supportable under the facts of this case against any of the officers involved in this tragic accident.”
The county state’s attorney’s office and the appellate prosecutor were both sent inquiries by the Illinois State Police, but they have yet to respond to the request for comment. According to Miller, who sustained multiple stab wounds, the police officer who fired the weapon should be held accountable and face legal consequences. Miller firmly believes that justice must be served.
The police department is currently conducting an internal investigation, and attempts to reach the officers for comment using the provided phone numbers have been unsuccessful.
According to Suarez, the family plans to take legal action as they believe that the police officer acted recklessly.