FBI Takes Lead in Fatal Police Shooting Investigation
posted 6:00 pm Fri September 21, 2007 - Washington
"We have asked that the FBI, because they are the very best in processing forensics, to take over all the evidence for processing in this case," said Lanier.
D.C. Police detectives returned to the scene of Monday's night shooting again on Friday, looking for clues. Police recovered the stolen minibike Thursday. The FBI is processing it for evidence. Investigators have not recovered the weapon allegedly used by Rawlings. Police say they found .45 caliber shell casings at the crime scene and
The Washington Post reported new details Thursday, raising further questions about the off-duty officers' actions that night. The Post reported that the police department was first alerted to the shooting by the technology that pinpoints the locations of gunshots. Officers reportedly arrived on the scene and found Rawlings' body before the off-duty officers had called in the shooting.
The Post also reported that one of the officers, 43-year-old Anthony Clay, briefly left the scene of the shooting with the SUV before investigators arrived. Police say Clay did not draw or fire his weapon during the incident.
"You have my assurances that they will be held accountable and the chief of police will make sure of that," said Fenty.
On Wednesday, Fenty announced that the U.S. Attorney's Office would take the lead in the investigation. While the U.S. Attorney's Office investigates all fatal police shootings, its involvement is unusual this early in the process. Police will also continue an internal department investigation.
The decision followed concerns raised by Rawlings' family and community members about the shooting, something the chief acknowledged in the Wednesday news conference.
"There are a lot of unanswered questions and they need to be answered by an independent investigation," said Lanier on Wednesday.
Investigators say the officer, 44-year-old James Haskel, a 22-year-veteran assigned to the department's Special Operations Division, was riding in a private vehicle with Officer Clay when they spotted the teenager on the stolen minibike.
The officer says the teenager opened fire on them, hitting the SUV about a foot below the window, and then fled down the street on foot. The officer says he got out of the car to chase the teen and shot back, firing as many as eight rounds. The boy was fatally wounded in the head.
In interviews Tuesday, Rawlings' parents insisted their son did not have a gun.
"My son don't have no guns," said Rawlings' mother, Loretta Hall. "He wouldn't do that. All I would like to do is have some answers."
Rawlings' father acknowledged his son had numerous run-ins with the law. He said investigators questioned DeOnte repeatedly in connection with a murder in April, but Rawlings refuses to believe his son shot at the officers.
"DeOnte shot no guns. Somebody else was shooting a gun up there when they jumped out on DeOnte."
"There was a lot of chaos on the scene," said Lanier. "The officers calling for assistance, there was a lot of people out there. It's possible someone picked that weapon up."
Channing Phillips, a spokesperson for the U.S. Attorney's Office, asked for patience:
"These matters take time; they are often complicated."
Phillips asked anyone with information to come forward and speak to investigators.
The officers remain on routine administrative leave pending the outcome of an investigation by the U.S. Attorney's Office and an internal police investigation.
Latest Comment on FBI Takes Lead in Fatal Police Shooting Investigation
Prettyboy
10:04 pm on 09/24/07
PEOPLE.. You got to remember that this young man was commiting a crime. He was a thug and I personally have no sympathy for a thug..sorry. ..my spin..he didn't care about anyone but himself and in all actuality he got his medicine.
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