Michelle Peele, who had been employed with the Raleigh Police Department since 1998, had been on administrative duties since she fatally shot Nyles Arrington as he allegedly attempted to steal her vehicle outside a Raleigh restaurant in August. A grand jury declined to indict her on charges related to the shooting on Tuesday.
Read The Raleigh Police Post-Shooting Report
Peele, 33, was off-duty when the shooting occurred. She was working as a guard at a restaurant when she saw someone breaking into her vehicle parked nearby. Police said she confronted the person, then fired one shot that hit Arrington, 42.
Arrington drove across the street, hit a parked vehicle, drove back across the street and stopped in the median. He was pronounced dead at a hospital.
The termination of Peele’s employment marked the end of the departmental investigation. No more details of the investigation are being released, citing state privacy laws.
Peele's attorney, April MacBride, told WRAL: "We're puzzled why she was terminated. She did not violate any policies or laws. We will follow the appeal process accordingly to try and get her reinstated."
The North Carolina Police Benevolent Association released a statement late Friday saying they still strongly support Peele and will continue to defend her legal interests.
"There was absolutely no violation of any lawful policy that would warrant the termination of Officer Peele," said NCPBA Division President Andy Miller. "She has been an excellent officer. Her actions were necessary and in compliance with law and professional law enforcement standards. Officer Peele is commended for her courageous actions. We will stand with her."
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