The Onslow County District Attorney believes the officer-involved shooting was justified

JACKSONVILLE, N.C. (WITN) – District Attorney Ernie Lee held a press conference Thursday to announce new findings in an officer-involved shooting that resulted in the death of Jammie Mitchell.

The 39-year-old was shot by two officers on June 5, 2024, after barricading himself and others inside the home at New River Drive and York Street.

“The shooting of Jammie Mitchell was believed by me to be justified,” said District Attorney Ernie Lee. “To protect the safety and lives of police officers from potential harm as perceived by a police officer on scene.”

During the press conference, a video from that morning was shown showing Mitchell shooting police officers outside the home, which resulted in the officers firing back. Prosecutor Lee says 14 casings belonging to the officer and only three from Mitchell were found in the house. Mitchell fired twice inside the house and again outside.

When Jacksonville Police Department officials heard the verdict, they said it wasn’t surprising.

“I have been through situations like this and I know all the facts,” said Ashley Weaver, assistant chief of the Jacksonville Police Department. “It was the expected result.”

Weaver says being involved in a situation like this is not something you take lightly and it regularly impacts officers.

“It places a tremendous amount of physical and mental strain on officers,” said Deputy Chief Weaver. “For those who participated in this officer-involved shooting. These officers will have to live with this for the rest of their lives.”

Although the day didn’t end the way they wanted and everyone involved was safe and sound, Deputy Chief Weaver says it’s necessary to keep others safe.

“The fact that we were able to get the rest of the family out safely,” said Deputy Chief Weaver. “We get every win we can and that was definitely a win that night.”

Lee reached out to Mitchell’s family members about Thursday’s press conference but received no response from them.

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