Grand jury finds no crime in police shooting of Cameron Massey

A Barbour County grand jury has found no probable cause that officers committed a crime in the shooting death of Columbus resident Cameron Massey during an Oct. 15 traffic stop in Eufaula, Ala.

A grand jury considered the case on Tuesday and Wednesday before returning a no bill with no further criminal action recommended in the shooting of Massey, 26. The case was presented to the panel by special prosecutor Boyd Whigham.

Massey was a passenger in a car that was stopped by police at 431 South Wrecker Service in Eufaula when he was shot multiple times by police. Massey caused the vehicle to accelerate, dragging one of the officers, according to a statement released Wednesday from Mayor Jack Tibbs. The traffic stop about 45 miles south of Columbus developed into a drug-trafficking investigation.

“The officers fired upon Mr. Massey to stop the imminent deadly threat posed by Mr. Massey’s actions, which halted his continued ability to accelerate the vehicle and seriously injure or kill the officer being dragged,” the mayor said.

The Alabama Bureau of Investigation, the agency called to investigate the police-involved shooting, seized more than seven pounds of marijuana from the trunk of the vehicle. The driver was charged with trafficking marijuana.

With no criminal action found, Tibbs said the officers, who had been placed on administrative leave after the shooting, have been returned to duty effective immediately.

“The officers performed their duties properly and were justified in their use of force against Mr. Massey,” the mayor said. “Our prayers are with the Massey family and all those affected by this incident.”

The mayor also noted that officers perform challenging tasks under dangerous circumstances daily with a high degree of professional skill.

“Now that the criminal investigation and proceedings have been concluded, we hope that our citizens and the community can move forward and continue the process of healing,” Tibbs said.

Shorty after the fatal shooting, dozens of residents held a peaceful stop the violence march in the city.

Jacqueline Massey, the mother of the shooting victim, couldn’t be reached for comment.

This story was originally published April 2, 2014 at 4:53 PM with the headline "Grand jury finds no crime in police shooting of Cameron Massey."