An Orange County grand jury has cleared an Ocoee police officer of any criminal wrongdoing in a shooting that occurred in February.
The incident took place following a police chase on February 15, 2024. On that date, Ocoee Police Department officers responded to reports of a shoplifting in progress at the Walmart located in the 10500 block of W Colonial Drive, according to the State Attorney’s Office.
When officers arrived at the incident location, a “suspect vehicle” fled from the parking lot, prompting them to pursue it. During the ensuing chase, the vehicle struck an OPD patrol vehicle in a hospital parking lot before driving over bushes in the parking lot.
The vehicle then proceeded to drive across multiple lanes of oncoming traffic during rush hour. The State Attorney’s Office stated that the vehicle finally came to a stop near the intersection of Old Winter Garden Road and Ohio Avenue, bringing the pursuit to an end.
Shortly after the driver of the vehicle was detained by law enforcement, one OPD officer “perceived a threat” when a passenger inside the vehicle, later identified as a 16-year-old boy, appeared to have a gun in his hand.
The officer fired a single gunshot at the teen passenger, striking and wounding him. Immediately after the shooting incident, officers rushed to the passenger and began rendering aid.
The passenger was taken to a local hospital for treatment of his injuries. He has since made a full recovery.
The driver was also taken to the hospital for treatment of minor injuries.
Since an OPD officer had used “deadly force,” the case was presented to a grand jury to determine whether or not criminal charges were appropriate.
After reviewing all relevant evidence and listening to expert testimony in the case, grand jurors returned a “no true bill,” which cleared the officer involved in the shooting of any criminal wrongdoing.
The grand jury declined to issue a presentment on the case and chose not to issue a statement on the circumstances surrounding the shooting.
The State Attorney’s Office has now closed the use of force case.