– Florence officer involved in fatal shooting cleared by grand jury
– Grand jury clears Florence officer in deadly shooting incident.
Accident – Death – Obituary News :
A Lauderdale County Grand Jury has cleared a Florence police officer involved in a deadly shooting that took place on April 1. The decision came after the case was presented to the grand jury this week, and it returned a ‘no bill,’ indicating that no charges will be filed against the officer in question.
The individual who was fatally shot by the police officer has been identified as 42-year-old Bart James Barcelou.
According to Lauderdale County District Attorney Chris Connolly’s press release, the incident occurred when officers responded to the 200 block of North Walnut Street to serve warrants to Barcelou, who was wanted on three counts of first-degree felony rape and one count of third-degree felony dealing in harmful materials to a minor by an adult in Kane County, Utah.
Lauderdale County Sheriff Joe Hamilton disclosed that Barcelou was wielding two knives during the confrontation, and officers attempted to use a “less lethal taser option” before resorting to lethal force.
Florence Police Chief Ron Tyler expressed regret over the violent outcome of the encounter, which culminated in shots being fired by one of the police officers, resulting in Barcelou’s death.
Following the shooting, Tyler requested the Lauderdale County Sheriff’s Office to conduct an investigation due to the involvement of one of the department’s officers. The findings of the investigation were presented to the grand jury for review.
Connolly also met with Barcelou’s widow to explain the grand jury process and allowed her to review body camera footage before the grand jury convened.
The decision by the grand jury to clear the officer of any charges signifies the conclusion of the legal proceedings surrounding the incident. The community remains divided over the circumstances of the shooting, with some expressing support for law enforcement actions, while others advocate for greater accountability and transparency in police procedures.
As the investigation concludes, the Florence Police Department and the Lauderdale County Sheriff’s Office are committed to upholding public safety while ensuring that all interactions with individuals in the community are handled with utmost professionalism and adherence to the law.
For more information and updates on this developing story, stay tuned to WHNT News 19.
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– Florence officer involved in deadly shooting cleared
– Grand jury clears Florence officer in deadly shooting incident.
