Grand Jury Recommends No Charges Be Filed Against Del City Officer Accused In Deadly Choctaw Shooting

The Oklahoma County Grand Jury recommended no charges be filed against a Del City police officer, accused of shooting Demetrize Carter at a 2023 Choctaw football game, according to the District Attorney’s Office.

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According to the DA, after reviewing evidence, hearing testimony from 10 witnesses, and reviewing 41 exhibits, the panel determined that 'a use-of-force expert was not necessary' for the grand jury’s decision.

The District Attorney’s Office continued saying, “After reviewing this use-of-force investigation, the panel issued the following recommendations for all law enforcement agencies in Oklahoma County” and school districts:

1. Law enforcement agencies should review policies and procedures when activating ‘body-warn-cameras’, and should ensure all uniformed individuals activated BWC’s in a timely manner.
2. In multi-agency response situations like the Choctaw football shooting, a lead law enforcement agency should be chosen and that agency should coordinate any assignments for other agencies.
3. The Okla. County Sheriff’s Office should invest in technology that aids the crime scene investigator in producing an accurate scene sketch and photographs should be taken at the scene. There should be multiple crime scene investigators at situations like the Choctaw shooting. 
4. A training program across departments and jurisdictions should be implemented to address how to respond and investigate situations like the Choctaw shooting.
5. When law enforcement is requested for an extracurricular school activity, there should be a briefing beforehand with all law enforcement to discuss a plan.
6. All school districts should implement additional security measures: metal detectors, surveillance video systems, etc.

The attorneys representing the officer and the man who was shot had different responses to the jury's decision.

"First of all, it was a legal and justified use of force," said attorney Gary James, who represents the Del City officer involved in the case. "I believe he [Demetrize Carter] had a gun and was getting ready to shoot the officers. And my client did a heck of a good job."

"Mr. Carter is really upset by this," said attorney Billy Clark, who represents Demetrize Carter, the 43-year-old man shot by the off-duty Del City police officer working security at the August 25 Choctaw football game. "As an adult, you want to make sure that kids aren't getting out of control. And you want to do as best as you can. And that's exactly what he was doing."

Tuesday, there was a law enforcement presence at the Attorney General’s Office. The AG’s Office stated that a ‘group of individuals’ became aware of confidential proceedings concerning this case. They also stated that “those individuals had no reason to be at the AG’s Office that day. Their presence led to the altercation that occurred in the parking lot.”

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The full release can be read here:

The Del City Police Department released a statement after the jury's decision on Thursday:

"We are aware of Oklahoma County District Attorney Vicki Behenna’s announcement of the grand jury’s decision to not pursue charges against the Del City Police officer. We respect the judicial process that took place, and we extend our appreciation to the citizens who serve on the grand jury. While this grand jury decision has been released, there is still an active and ongoing investigation related to the incident and all related evidence, including body cam footage, remains sealed by Court Order from the Oklahoma County District Attorney. More information on this case will be released as it becomes available."