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Richmond's Top Prosecutor Decides Not to Reopen Case of Young Man Shot to Death by Officer

Richmond's top prosecutor announced late Friday afternoon that she will not reopen an investigation into the killing of Marcus David Peters. 

The young man, a teacher, was shot and killed by a Richmond police officer two years ago. His name has since become a rallying cry for advocates of reforming, and even defunding, the police. 

Princess Blanding speaking at a rally in 2018, shortly after her brother was killed by a Richmond police officer.
Credit Mallory Noe-Payne / RADIOIQ

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Peters was having a mental health breakdown when he was shot and killed. An investigation at the time cleared the officer responsible. But new attention on the case prompted a re-examination. In her report, Richmond's Commonwealth Attorney Colette McEachin affirmed the original findings. 

“...the officer’s ultimate decision to use lethal force was a reasonable response to the imminent danger presented to himself and the public,” McEachin writes in the report. 

The report did note that ideally a licensed and experienced mental health professional would have been on the scene. Just this week Governor Ralph Northam signed legislation creating a statewide "Marcus Alert." Named after Peters, the bill reforms how police respond to people in crisis. 

 
This report, provided by Virginia Public Radio, was made possible with support from the Virginia Education Association.

Mallory Noe-Payne is a Radio IQ reporter based in Richmond.
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