District Heights (MD) Police Sergeant Indicted for Attempted Murder - Unarmed Black Man, Handcuffed, Shot in the Back by Officer, Paralyzed

From [HERE] and [HERE] A District Heights police officer who shot a handcuffed Black man in the back as he fled from the officer’s custody was indicted Thursday on attempted murder in connection with the shooting, Prince George’s County prosecutors said. Sgt. Johnnie Riley, an eight-year department veteran, also faces misconduct in office and assault charges stemming from the September shooting that paralyzed 26-year-old Kalvin Kyle from the chest down. The shooting unfolded in front of a daycare when parents were picking up their children.

According to District Heights police, Sgt. Riley had arrested Mr. Kyle after he was stopped on a stolen motorcycle in the 6200 block of Foster Street. Mr. Kyle was placed in the back of a police cruiser but escaped and was shot in the back as he fled, said his attorney, Christopher Griffiths. “The police officer had removed his shoes and handcuffed him and searched him, so he didn’t have a weapon,” Mr. Griffiths said. “All the officer had to do to stop him was to grab him.”

A bullet struck Mr. Kyle in the back, paralyzing him from the chest down. He remained in a hospital undergoing physical rehabilitation until Wednesday, when he was able to return home for the first time since the Sept. 6 shooting, Mr. Griffiths said.

A woman who does not want to be identified tells 9News that "the officer got out grabbed the young guy by the hair, which he had dreads, and threw him on the ground." She says she saw the shooting through a window "He threw a baton, the baton missed, he pulled out his gun and three shots went off. He fell to the ground, face down." [MORE] 

Sgt. Riley, who was placed on administrative leave after the shooting, turned himself in Thursday after the indictment and is being held without bond — at least until a bond-review hearing Friday, said John Erzen, spokesman for the Prince George’s County office of the state’s attorney.

A Prince George’s County grand jury indicted Sgt. Riley on attempted murder, first- and second-degree assault, use of a handgun during a crime of violence and two counts of misconduct in office, Mr. Erzen said.

Sgt. Riley’s attorney, C.T. Wilson, said Thursday that he was limited in what he could say about the case.

“We’re still gathering the facts,” Mr. Wilson said. “I have confidence in the justice system.”

Criminal charges — including theft, second-degree escape and unlawful taking of a motor vehicle — are pending against Mr. Kyle from the incident.

Given the criminal indictment against Sgt. Riley, Mr. Griffiths is skeptical that law enforcement will pursue the charges against his client.

“It’s not likely that the arresting officer is going to want to testify,” he said. “It calls into question all allegations.”

District Heights officials referred calls about the indictment to Deputy Police Chief Wendell Brantley, who did not return a phone message Thursday.