A Florida sheriff has requested a criminal investigation into one of his white sergeants who shot and critically wounded a 28-year-old unarmed black auto theft suspect overnight, Reuters reported. Currently, the shooting is being investigated by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement as part of a standard procedure.
Early on Monday, Orange County Sheriff Jerry Demings said he was determined to be as transparent as possible amid witness reports that the victim had his hands up in a stolen car when the white deputy opened fire, according to local media reports.
"I ask everyone to not rush to judgment and allow the investigation to be completed in accordance with established policy and law," Demings, who is African American, said at a news conference in Orlando, adding that investigators have found some eyewitness accounts that conflict with the officer's account.
On Monday afternoon, Cedric Bartee was reported to be in critical but stable condition after undergoing surgery at Orlando Regional Medical Center, the sheriff said.
Just after midnight on Monday, Orange County deputies responded to a report of a stolen car in West Orlando. The 28-year-old suspect and a second man were spotted entering the stolen car at an apartment complex when deputies arrived at the scene.
When Bartee failed to comply with Sgt. Robert McCarthy's commands to get out and "made extensive furtive movements" instead, the deputy fired, fearing for his safety, fired three shots, Demings said, adding that one shot struck Bartee while the second unidentified man was arrested unhurt.
However, some witnesses have come forward to provide conflicting accounts, including one in which Bartee had his hands in the air when he was shot, according to NBC News.
At Monday's press conference, Demings said he was trying to be transparent in holding the press conference "because of the backdrop of everything happening in the country at this time. It's concerning to me" how the public might react.
With two recent high-profile racially charged cases sparking protests around the nation, police-community relations have been strained. But as a matter of policy, the Florida Department of Law Enforcement reviews all officer-involved shootings in many Florida counties, including Orange County.
"I am very sensitive to some of the events that have occurred around the nation in recent times," Demings said. "I want to ensure that we have transparency as well as accountability for the actions of all of my staff that's involved."
But he also gave his support to McCarthy, a seven-year veteran of the department whom he said was "fearing for his safety," stating that the officer has been reassigned to administrative duties for at least a week.
Meanwhile, Bartee reportedly has an extensive criminal record, with about 20 previous felony arrests and at least 45 charges since 1999. He was arrested twice specifically on charges of resisting law enforcement officers, according to Florida court records.
