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No Indictment For Officers In Walmart Shooting; Feds Will Investigate

Demonstrators pray outside the Greene County courthouse following the announcement that the Special Grand Jury won't indict officers.
Wayne Baker
/
WYSO

A grand jury in Greene County has found that the actions of officers involved in the Beavercreek Walmart shooting were justified. In response, the U.S. Department of Justice has announced it will investigate. 

Twenty-two-year-old John Crawford III was fatally shot by police in the store the evening of August 5th. A 9-1-1 caller reported Crawford was waving what appeared to be a rifle. Police said he didn't obey commands to put down what turned out to be an air rifle BB-gun.

Special Prosecutor Mark Piepmeier says the Greene County grand jury opted not to issue any indictments in the case. Assistant prosecutor Stacey DeGraffenreid says the grand jury had access to photographic and video evidence and heard from 18 witnesses.

“I definitely think a thorough investigation was done," DeGraffenreid said following a press conference Wednesday.

Investigators have also released surveillance video from inside the Walmart store the night Crawford was shot, which shows him walking in the pet food aisle and talking on his cellphone when he's approached by police. The surveillance video, which is graphic, is available on WHIO's website.

John Crawford's death has become the object of national attention. He is black and the 9-1-1 caller and shooting officers are white, and national and local organizations have been framing the shooting as an issue of racial justice. Wednesday wrapped up the third day of a three-day protest and teach-in in Xenia, where the Greene County Courthouse is located. Protesters had been calling for the release of the video and for federal involvement.

"It’s clear there is no justice to be found here in Greene County. We are saddened by the decision the grand jury made but not surprised," said James Hayes with the Ohio Student Association.

As of Wednesday, federal investigators have announced they will review the case. The Civil Rights Division of the US Department of Justice, the US Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Ohio, and the FBI say they will look at whether any U.S. law was violated. Crawford family members, as well as Ohio Attorney General Mike DeWine and Ohio Governor John Kasich, have all asked for federal involvement.

Wayne Baker and Lewis Wallace contributed reporting.

Jerry began volunteering at WYSO in 1991 and hosting Sunday night's Alpha Rhythms in 1992. He joined the YSO staff in 2007 as Morning Edition Host, then All Things Considered. He's hosted Sunday morning's WYSO Weekend since 2008 and produced several radio dramas and specials . In 2009 Jerry received the Best Feature award from Public Radio News Directors Inc., and was named the 2023 winner of the Ohio Associated Press Media Editors Best Anchor/News Host award. His current, heart-felt projects include the occasional series Bulletin Board Diaries, which focuses on local, old-school advertisers and small business owners. He has also returned as the co-host Alpha Rhythms.
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