Dennis Bodden : “Pineville Police Sgt Kills Unarmed Suspect: Controversy”

Pineville Police Sergeant Fatally Shoots Unarmed Shoplifting Suspect

The Pineville Police Department (PPD) released a statement on Wednesday shedding light on the events that led to an off-duty PPD sergeant fatally shooting an unarmed man suspected of shoplifting at the border of Pineville and Charlotte on Tuesday afternoon.

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According to Pineville Police, the officer was in uniform, providing security at the McMullen Creek Market shopping center in Pineville when he confronted a man believed to be shoplifting from a Food Lion in the nearby Johnston Road Plaza.

The sergeant initially engaged with the man, identified as 46-year-old Dennis Bodden, in the parking lot. Bodden allegedly ignored commands and crossed Johnston Road into the Berkshire Place apartments in Charlotte, where a physical altercation ensued.

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The officer deployed his Taser on Bodden, who continued to walk away. Another Pineville Police officer arrived as backup and also attempted to use a Taser, which proved ineffective against Bodden, according to the department’s statement.

The Pineville Police Department reported that Bodden attempted to grab the sergeant’s service weapon after lunging towards him, leading to the use of deadly force.

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Bodden was known to Pineville Police as a repeat shoplifting suspect from the specific Food Lion location and for displaying aggressive behavior towards law enforcement and the public.

Community members have raised concerns about the incident, questioning whether more could have been done to de-escalate the situation given the nonviolent nature of the initial call.

While Pineville Police have not confirmed if the sergeant was equipped with a body camera during the incident, the department stated that officers wear body-worn cameras while on duty, suggesting that the backup officer who arrived before the shooting likely had one.

Robert Dawkins, from the community advocacy and police accountability organization Action NC, expressed intentions to advocate for the release of any footage related to the incident in the upcoming week.

“If the police department can establish conditions for off-duty officers serving as security, one of those conditions should be the mandatory use of body-worn cameras,” Dawkins told Queen City Nerve.

As the incident occurred in Charlotte, the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department is leading the criminal homicide investigation, while Pineville Police stated that they are conducting an internal/administrative investigation. The North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation will not lead an investigation into the incident since the sergeant was off-duty at the time of the shooting.

NC Senate Approves Bill Banning Public Mask-Wearing

The North Carolina Senate passed a contentious bill on Wednesday that would prohibit the wearing of masks in public, even for medical reasons, in a strict party-line vote. Championed by Republicans, the bill aims to eliminate the health and safety exemption from certain laws that forbid mask-wearing in public spaces, enhance penalties for individuals wearing masks while committing crimes, and impose criminal and civil liability on those obstructing emergency vehicles during protests.

Critics have lambasted the bill as an infringement on freedom of expression and the right to protest, as well as a health hazard for immunocompromised individuals and those concerned about their well-being in the ongoing aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Victoria Coble initiated a petition on May 9 opposing House Bill 237, also known as the “Unmasking Mobs and Criminals” bill, focusing primarily on the potential criminalization of mask-wearing for medical purposes, such as reducing exposure to COVID-19 or safeguarding immunocompromised individuals. The petition has garnered over 7,400 signatures as of Saturday morning.

“I am immunocompromised,” wrote one signatory, Julia Lam. “I am suffering from incurable conditions triggered by COVID-19. We need to make public spaces accessible to all.”

The NAACP of North Carolina issued a statement denouncing the bill as “a thinly veiled attempt to suppress dissent following recent demonstrations advocating for Palestinian rights and against police brutality.”

“This bill directly undermines the fundamental right to protest, a cornerstone of our democracy,” the statement read. “We urge lawmakers to reject HB 237 and instead focus on addressing the root causes of protests: systemic racism, police violence, and social disparities. Protecting the right to protest ensures that public spaces remain platforms for democratic expression, where communities can celebrate victories, mourn losses, and demand accountability from their leaders.”

Mayor Unveils Small Business Growth Fund Initiative

Mayor Vi Lyles, alongside other city officials, held a press briefing on Tuesday morning to introduce the Charlotte Small Business Growth Fund (CSBGF), a $40 million investment programme that will provide loans to over 2,000 local businesses in Charlotte over the next four years. The initiative prioritizes underserved small businesses, particularly those owned by minorities and women.

Part of the Mayor’s Racial Equity Initiative, which was launched two years ago, CSBGF loans will range from $1,000 to $250,000 with fixed interest rates between 9% and 12%, and origination and application fees ranging from 3% to 5%.

“Charlotte boasts one of the most dynamic economies in the nation, attracting numerous new businesses,” stated Lyles during the announcement. “Through the Charlotte Small Business Growth Fund, we aspire to level the playing field, ensuring every resident partakes in our city’s progress and has equitable access to entrepreneurial opportunities.”

The fund is managed by Scale Link, a community development financial institution (CDFI) that facilitates inclusive small business lending through its national secondary market, enabling the purchase and sale of small business loans originated by CDFIs.

Entrepreneurs interested in securing funding through the fund can access further information and apply online on the Charlotte Small Business Growth Fund website.

County Health Department Alerts Public to Surge in Whooping Cough Cases

Health authorities have issued a warning following a spike in whooping cough instances in Mecklenburg County. According to a statement from Mecklenburg County Public Health released on Tuesday, there have been nine confirmed cases and one suspected case of pertussis in the county so far this year.

Pertussis, a highly contagious respiratory ailment characterized by severe coughing fits, primarily affects individuals under 17 years old but can also impact adults. Immunocompromised individuals and pregnant women face the highest risk of severe illness.

Common symptoms of pertussis and whooping cough include severe coughing fits that interfere with breathing, eating, or sleeping; a distinctive whooping sound following a cough; vomiting after coughing; runny or congested nose; and a mild fever. While no hospitalizations have been reported, health officials are concerned about the rising trend as the disease can be life-threatening for children under 17.

Health experts emphasized the importance of vaccination in preventing the spread of pertussis. The county offers free vaccinations to uninsured individuals. For vaccination queries, residents can contact their physician or local health department.

County Manager Presents Proposed Budget

Mecklenburg County Manager Dena R. Diorio unveiled her recommended budget for Fiscal Year 2025 to the Mecklenburg Board of County Commissioners on Thursday.

The proposed $2.5 billion budget reflects a 5.5% increase, equating to $130 million, over the current FY2024 operating budget. To accommodate this increase, Diorio has proposed a tax rate of 48.81 cents per $100 of assessed valuation. This rate includes a 1.5-cent rise—comprising one cent previously designated for the Capital Improvement Plan adopted last year and an additional half cent to sustain Mecklenburg County’s services.

The Board of County Commissioners will convene a public hearing to receive feedback on the proposed budget on May 23 at 6 p.m. Residents can sign up to speak via the county website. The full proposed budget is available for viewing on the county’s website.

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