Questions linger after deputy-involved shooting

Kenly, N.C. — The Johnston County Sheriff's Office declined to comment Monday on the weekend shooting of a Kenly man killed by a sheriff's deputy, leaving more questions than answers for those who knew him.

Two deputies went to 2349 Glendale Road shortly before 9 p.m. Saturday in response to a request by local paramedics for backup.

When they arrived, according to a sheriff's spokeswoman, Reginald Lee Witcher, 54, shot at the officers from his front door. A deputy returned fire, hitting and killing Witcher.

But those who knew Witcher said Monday there has to be a different explanation about what happened, because he was not a violent man and would never point a gun at someone.

"It just shocked me and my wife," said Garland Stancil who lives across the street from Witcher. "It just tore us up."

Stancil said Witcher and his wife, Belinda, had guests at their home Saturday night and that a female guest told him they called 911 when she fell.

"Then, when 911 got there, then I understand, they said something to Belinda that Belinda didn't like," he said.

Johnston County sheriff spokeswoman Tammy Amaon said an EMS call was received at 8:23 p.m. and that paramedics arrived to the residence at 8:40 p.m.

EMS requested assistance from the sheriff's office at 8:41 p.m., she said but could not say why. The deputies arrived at 8:56 p.m., and a shot was fired at 9:05 p.m., Amaon said.

Scott Blecke, EMS division chief in Johnston County, said paramedics reported several people at the residence who were uncooperative and interfering with their ability to treat the female guest.

Both deputies, Deputy Sgt. J.K. Garner and Deputy A.J. Case, are on administrative leave with pay, which is standard procedure for all officer-involved shootings.

Although authorities won't comment, Stancil suggested, based on a conversation with another neighbor, the shooting might have been a misunderstanding.

"Reg saw them and maybe got up and was going to put his gun up, and the guy thought he was going to shoot him. So, he shot Reg," Stancil said. "That's my view of it."

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EMS got a call about a woman who was injured in the front yard. When EMS arrived, they encountered what they reported as several intoxicated people in the yard, so they requested law enforcement(I WOULD HAVE TOO!!) WHat happened after that is all on the recordings that are posted on this site.

brentgale
December 2, 2008 2:51 p.m.

"Care should always be taken when firing into areas where one does not have complete visibility. If that means standing out behind that ambulance until dawn, stand." paulej

So, when the police back down and hide because somebody else MAY be near, and it then turns into a hostage situation with the kids that MAY be there, will you then ask why the police did not do something when they had a chance? Or maybe when the police are being fired upon they do not have the time, or an object to hide behind. What then? It is so easy to decide what the police should and should not do, especially when you are not there when all the action is actually going on. Think maybe they are trained to take those things into consideration? Is there ever any area (excpet maybe in the desert), that you have FULL visibility?

Lady Justice
November 26, 2008 4:23 p.m.

Never, ever, ever fire at law enforcement. Is that really gonna have to be a rule of personal safety?

This is absolutely tragic. It may have been a misunderstanding....but...IF he did fire at the cops, there really isn't a whole lot to say in his defense.

familyfour
November 25, 2008 8:47 p.m.

What concerns me with this story is that shots were fired toward the house without consideration of the possibility that a kid might be inside on the receiving end of a stray bullet. Care should always be taken when firing into areas where one does not have complete visibility. If that means standing out behind that ambulance until dawn, stand.

paulej
November 25, 2008 5:50 p.m.

I am wondering what went on when the EMS was there that caused them to call the police. Did they say something that made the law go into hyper-defensive mode? Did the victim brandish the weapon at them, but decide to put it up when the law got there, because they carry guns, too? I don't know, and we probably won't ever know if it was a terrible misunderstanding.