Accident – Death – Obituary News :
The U.S. attorney’s office in District Decides Not to Prosecute Officers in Fatal Shooting
Two D.C. police officers will not face criminal charges in the fatal shooting of 33-year-old Arthur Porter last fall, the U.S. attorney’s office in District announced on Tuesday. The incident took place during an Oct. 19 foot chase in Southeast Washington, where Porter allegedly fired a handgun at the police. A rookie officer was also shot and wounded during the confrontation.
Details of the Incident
According to reports, the tragic event unfolded outside an apartment building in the Naylor Gardens area, just a few blocks from the Prince George’s County border. Police had responded to 911 calls reporting a man with a gun arguing with two women. When officers attempted to stop a man matching the description provided by one of the callers, he fled the scene. Body-camera footage captured the rapid sequence of events that followed, with two officers chasing the suspect, one of them radioing that the man had a gun in his pocket.
Police Actions and Investigation
The officers involved in the shooting, identified as Dallas Bennett and Jonathan Hasstedt, were placed on administrative leave pending criminal and administrative investigations. The U.S. attorney’s office cited insufficient evidence to hold the officers criminally responsible for Porter’s death. The D.C. police department will now conduct its internal affairs administrative investigation to determine the sequence of events that led to the fatal shooting.
Body-Camera Footage and Controversy
Body-camera videos released by the police show the moment when Porter allegedly fired at the officers as he entered the backyard of a house on Naylor Road SE. Gunshots can be heard as the wounded officer collapses, with police later confirming that he was hit in the back area. Additional officers confronted Porter, leading to a series of shots being fired, resulting in Porter collapsing beside a tree with a handgun by his side.
Family’s Response and Ongoing Concerns
Porter’s father, Terry Mobley, declined to comment on the decision not to prosecute the officers. However, he previously urged D.C. Mayor Muriel E. Bowser to release additional body-camera footage from the other officers at the scene. The family’s concerns and the community’s response to the incident continue to raise questions about police conduct and transparency in such cases.
As the investigation unfolds, the community awaits further updates on the case and hopes for justice and accountability in the aftermath of this tragic event.
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