DPS releases DA findings in trooper involved shooting

(CRAIG COUNTY, Okla.) The Department of Public Safety received correspondence from Craig County District Attorney Matthew J. Ballard concerning the officer-involved shooting that occurred on June 25, 2020, on the Will Rogers Turnpike. District Attorney Ballard has determined Trooper Cole acted appropriately under the circumstances and the shooting was justified under the facts and law. “Oklahoma Highway Patrol Caleb Cole justifiably shot an armed, convicted felon in illegal possession of a firearm and drugs during an otherwise routine traffic stop,” Ballard concluded. “The situation did not escalate until the decedent, a passenger in the vehicle the Trooper lawfully pulled over, refused to follow Trooper Cole’s directions. Instead, he re-entered the vehicle, put his hands behind his back out of the view of Trooper Cole and appeared to manipulate an object. Mr. Harris then rapidly brought his hand around toward Trooper Cole, who observed a black object in his previously empty hand.” “Trooper Cole observed a gun fly back over Mr. Harris’ head as he brought his hands up and a handgun was recovered from the vehicle. Trooper Cole’s statements are supported by the video, physical evidence, and the observations of the driver of the vehicle, whose vantage point was better than the dash camera. The driver, who was situated approximately 15 feet behind the encounter and observed the incident live in its entirety, did not believe that Trooper Cole acted inappropriately. In fact, the driver’s unvarnished observation to a third-party minutes after the incident was, “The crazy part about – the police, the officer wasn’t even in the wrong, though.” “The video demonstrates that Trooper Cole began the encounter in a relaxed, casual manner. His demeanor changed solely in response to the actions of Mr. Harris. Any reasonable trooper would conclude that Mr. Harris posed a real and significant threat to Trooper Cole’s safety. I find the use of force by Trooper Cole was justified and appropriate under the law and facts and any charges by the District Attorney’s office against Trooper Cole are not warranted or allowed under the law.” Click here to review the full correspondence: https://content.govdelivery.com/attachments/OKDPS/2020/09/18/file_attachments/1550295/DA%20Letter.pdf Click here to watch or download the dash camera of the incident: https://lnks.gd/l/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJidWxsZXRpbl9saW5rX2lkIjoxMDIsInVyaSI6ImJwMjpjbGljayIsImJ1bGxldGluX2lkIjoiMjAyMDA5MTguMjczOTcxNzEiLCJ1cmwiOiJodHRwczovL3dlLnRsL3QtOEpBOEREaENxdz91dG1fY29udGVudD0mdXRtX21lZGl1bT1lbWFpbCZ1dG1fbmFtZT0mdXRtX3NvdXJjZT1nb3ZkZWxpdmVyeSZ1dG1fdGVybT0ifQ.gWZggTnXZyb_2wMp7z076FXOUzkQRivDCNxt5li_Xkw/s/861526015/br/85621123858-l