Chad Copley, 39, has been charged in the killing of 20-year-old Kouren-Rodney Bernard Thomas in Raleigh, NC.
According to CNN, Copley claims that he was protecting his family from “hoodlums” and shot Thomas outside of his home just before 1am on Sunday. Copley is currently being held at the Wake County Detention Center without bond.
On Monday the News & Observer in Raleigh reported that glass was found in Copley’s driveway from the bullets traveling through his window, and blood a few feet away from the street. Police have not released the information on what kind of shotgun was used during the shooting.
The court issued the Capital Defense Office to represent Copley; the office later told CNN that Raymond Tarlton would represent him. Tarlton’s office released a statement saying; “We have seen too many wrongful convictions for anyone or any organization to jump to conclusions on the basis of someone being charged.”
Now we all know this incident sounds familiar to the killing of Trayvon Martin back in 2012. While the story is still developing, some parts of the story can be told through 911 calls.
Copley called authorities to report “a bunch of hoodlums out here racing.” He then continues to tell the dispatcher, “I am locked and loaded. I’m going outside to secure my neighborhood. You need to send PD as quickly as possible.”
Confused, the dispatcher responded, “I’m sorry. You’re going out to do what to the neighborhood, sir?”
He then goes on to say that he is on the neighborhood watch and will have his neighbors with him. He claims that there were several “hoodlums” racing up and down the street with firearms and that he was going to secure his neighborhood.
Unfortunately, Thomas was pronounced dead at WakeMed Hospital in Raleigh.
Source: http://www.cnn.com/2016/08/09/us/raleigh-north-carolina-man-shoots-african-american-outside-home-911-calls/index.html?sr=fbCNN081016raleigh-north-carolina-man-shoots-african-american-outside-home-911-calls1206AMStoryLink&linkId=27499901
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