WASHINGTON (AP) – A police officer defended his partner’s decision to shoot a black motorcyclist in Washington, D.C., and said that he believed the man drove directly at his partner.
The Washington Post reported Wednesday that Officer Jordan Palmer’s account of the 2016 fatal shooting came during an administrative hearing that centered on whether Officer Brian Trainer feared for his safety when he shot 31-year-old Terrence Sterling.
The Metropolitan Police Department has ruled the shooting unjustified and recommended Trainer be fired, which he’s challenged.
The appeal is being heard by an administrative panel known as a trial board, which will rule on Trainer’s action and could recommend discipline.
Federal prosecutors have determined there wasn’t enough evidence to file criminal charges against Trainer. However, the district has reached a multimillion-dollar settlement with Sterling’s family.
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