OKC Police Officer Charged With Manslaughter In Shooting Death Of OKC Man

Oklahoma County district attorney filed a charge of manslaughter in the first-degree, a felony, against an officer who fatally shot a man in December.

Sgt. Clifford Holman was charged Thursday and has been with the Oklahoma City Police Department for seven years.

Chaos and commotion erupted on December 11 after a homeless man was shot and killed.

Police said officers were called to the area on reports that a man, later identified as Bennie Edwards, was bothering customers outside of a store.

Court documents stated Master Sgt. Keith Duroy was first to arrive on scene. Later, he called for backup after Edwards pulled out a folding knife.

That is when Holman showed up.

Court records noted Edwards told both officers to leave, while holding the knife in his hand. Holman deployed both his Taser and pepper spray multiple times with little to no effect.

Soon after, documents stated Edwards charged at officers before turning to run away.

That is when records noted Holman dropped his Taser, drew his gun and fired three shots at Edwards as he was running away. The officer in the probable cause affidavit said the shots were unnecessary.

The case was turned over to District Attorney David Prater for review. The Oklahoma City Police Department said they were notified on Wednesday that Holman would be charged with a felony of manslaughter in the first-degree.

If he is convicted, he could face a minimum of four years in prison.

Duroy was not charged with anything after the incident.