A white Alabama police officer is being held responsible for the death of an unarmed black man. Authorities have confirmed that he is facing murder charges regarding the killing last Thursday.
In a report by Reuters, the Montgomery police officer has been identified as Aaron "A.C." Smith, 23. He gunned down the man identified as Gregory Gunn, who was trying to enter his mother's home.
Smith is currently free on a $150,00 bond as investigators found out that he could have broken the law in the shooting of Gunn, Cocoa Fab reported.
Montgomery County District Attorney Daryl Bailey said the case will now be transferred to a grand jury and that he will do everything in his power "to protect a police officer who is operating within the law" as well as prosecute an officer operating outside the law, The Slatest reported.
An attorney for Smith, Mickey McDermott, said the officer stopped Gunn and started to search him but the supposed suspect broke free from the officer and ran away. McDermott pointed out that Smith first tried to use non-lethal force six times such as using his Taser and baton to pacify Gunn. However, Gunn "picked up a weapon," which was said to be "stick-like," and that was when Smith fired at him.
Gunn was walking towards his own home but the officer said he looked suspicious. His mother, 87, lives in the same home as he does. It has not been explained though why Smith thought that Gunn was acting suspicious and what prompted him to get out of his patrol car. Witnesses claimed they heard Gunn screaming for help and was calling his mother.
When asked about the validity that Gunn had a stick-like weapon, Police Chief Ernest Finley, said it is possible but they will not confirm or deny the reports citing that they will be waiting for the "entire report from the DA"s office" or the State Bureau of Investigation.
Mayor Todd Strange also released a statement saying it remains unknown if anyone had a video of the shooting. He did, however, noted that the police department, which also has black officers, has been making connections and community relations.
No other details have been released regarding Smith's next court appearance.
