The Grand Traverse County Prosecutor's Office has determined that Traverse City police were justified in using lethal force when they shot and killed Darnell Wilson.
Wilson was killed the afternoon of March 13, in an apartment on Munson Avenue as police responded to a call about a domestic assault involving a knife.
County Prosecutor Noelle Moeggenberg explained her decision in an email to reporters.
"Michigan law allows an individual who has not or is not engaged in the commission of a crime to use deadly force when the individual honestly and reasonably believes that the use of deadly force is necessary to prevent the imminent death of or imminent great bodily harm to himself or herself or to another individual," she wrote.
The email continues:
"Body worn camera video from the incident shows that upon entering, officers immediately identified themselves as police and shouted, 'show us your hands.' Mr. Wilson got to his feet, holding a knife, and refused to drop the knife despite commands. Even as Officer Rozanski attempted less lethal force by deploying her taser, Mr. Wilson rushed towards the officers, his right arm in a blocking motion with the knife in his left hand. It was only at this time, when the threat of loss of life for fellow officers and themselves that Sgt. Shea and Officer Bock discharged their duty weapons at Mr. Wilson."
In that email, the prosecutor's office also released a portion of the bodycam footage. IPR has reviewed the video, but because of its graphic nature, we are not publishing or broadcasting it in its entirety.
Bodycam footage from the first two officers to enter Wilson's apartment, Officer Bock and Rozanski, were included in the shared video.
What the video shows is that Sgt. Reed Shea and Officers Bridget Rozanski, Corey Bock, and Matthew Kirkey arrived at the scene at 4:50 p.m. After identifying themselves as police, they entered the apartment, at which time Wilson can be heard saying "Help us," as he was lying on the floor, covered in blood. Officers then gave orders for Wilson to put his hands up.
Officer Rozanski can be heard saying "Show me your hands" as Wilson gets up. Wilson can then be seen with a knife in his hand. As he moves quickly toward officers with his knife in hand, officers order him to drop the weapon, and then Officer Rozanski deploys her taser.
One second after the taser sound is heard, Wilson makes contact with Officer Rozanski. Gunshots ring out immediately. IPR's review of the video counted 8 to 10 shots fired in rapid succession by the officers. Wilson collapses within the first couple gunshots.
Twenty-two seconds elapse from the time that officers, opening the apartment door, order Wilson to show his hands to the moment the first shots are fired.
This is a developing story and this post will be updated.
Details about what the video shows were added to this post at 1 p.m.
Details of the sequence of events have been further edited for accuracy and clarity.
