A police board has ruled a Chicago police officer did nothing wrong when he shot an unarmed 15-year-old in the head during a chase.
On Thursday, the Independent Police Review Authority’s 5-3 vote determined officer Brandon Ternand was justified in shooting 15-year-old Dakota Bright in 2012, reports CBS Chicago. This vote marks a departure from a decision last year in which the board recommended Ternand be fired for excessive force.
The ruling means Ternand will not be disciplined for the shooting and can return to active duty. According to the Chicago Tribune, the board said Ternand’s testimony was “credible and persuasive,” and board members deemed him “a highly decorated and respected tactical officer with years of experience.”
Ternand and another officer were responding to a burglary call that was a false alarm when they encountered Bright. The officer said Bright was walking through an alley carrying a gun, and a chase ensued. Ternand claimed he shot Bright because the teen turned toward him and reached for his left pocket.
Investigators determined Bright was unarmed when he was shot.
The dissenting board members cast doubt on Ternand’s account citing the results of an autopsy that determined Bright died from a wound “in the midline of the back of his head.” That suggests Bright didn't turn toward Ternand as the officer claims. The dissenters also wondered why the teen would have reached in his left pocket since investigators found nothing in that pocket.
Following the shooting, Ternand was placed on desk duty until November 2017, when he was placed on unpaid administrative leave. He will receive back pay for the income missed during that leave. Before the shooting, Ternand was paid $87,000 a year.
The Chicago Police Department refused to comment on the decision.
“It would be improper for the superintendent to comment on this specific case when there are other Police Board cases he has not commented on after the Police Board came to their decision,” a spokesman said in an email to CBS.
Ternand did not return a call from the Chicago Tribune.
Panzy Edwards, Bright’s mother, said she would continue to fight for justice.
“I’m trying to find a way right now to figure out how can I get this decision overturned,” she told the Chicago Sun-Times.
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2012 Chicago Police Shooting Of Dakota Bright Ruled 'Unprovoked' And 'Unwarranted'
