The Associated Press
DURHAM, N.C. (AP) - A police officer who killed a Durham teenager in July won’t be charged in the death, the Durham County district attorney decided.
Officer John Joseph McDonough “used appropriate and reasonable force” when he shot 15-year-old William Antonio Rochelle in the back twice July 12, District Attorney Jim Hardin said Wednesday. McDonough faced what he believed was “a potentially life-threatening attack” after the teen nearly shot him in the face with a 9 mm pistol, he said.
“I consider it closed,” he said.
McDonough, a Durham police officer for four years, was on administrative leave with pay during the investigation.
The shooting happened when McDonough responded to a complaint about loud music complaint. He left and returned with two other officers in his personal vehicle to conduct surveillance, Hardin said.
As the officers approached a car, a suspect ran into some woods. McDonough told him not to move, Hardin said.
“However, Rochelle got up and tried to escape,” Hardin said. “Officer McDonough chased Rochelle and attempted to tackle him. Rochelle fell, and as he did, he faced Officer McDonough. Officer McDonough grabbed Rochelle and told Rochelle to get down. At that point, Rochelle discharged a firearm at Officer McDonough’s face. Officer McDonough indicated that he felt a burn on the right side of his face and saw the muzzle flash of the gun.”
McDonough’s had powder burns on his face, Hardin said.
McDonough then landed on top of Rochelle and the two began struggling, Hardin said.
“Officer McDonough could only see one of Rochelle’s hands and did not know where the gun was located. Officer McDonough then fired two rounds from his Durham Police Department .45-caliber handgun directly into Rochelle’s back.”
At the time he was killed, Rochelle was carrying six rocks of crack cocaine, and he had made threats against law-enforcement officers in the past, Hardin said.