Family of man killed by police in Pineville speaks out

CHARLOTTE – Cleopatra Bodden’s son, her only child, was killed nearly three weeks ago.

“They didn’t see Dennis as a human being, but as someone who could be thrown away,” she said.

Dennis Bodden was shot and killed by police officers in Pineville in May. Bodden was accused of shoplifting at the Food Lion on Johnston Road. Police say he resisted when they showed up, which escalated into a physical altercation. Bodden then ran across the street to an apartment complex. When police followed him, they say another physical altercation ensued. The officer then shot and killed Bodden.

Bodden’s family said at the press conference on Monday that there was more to the story.

“Dennis suffered from a dual diagnosis of bipolar schizophrenia,” his mother said, adding that his illness had worsened over the past year.

“His mental illness was never mentioned in their carefully crafted press release and handling of the media.”

After the family’s press conference, the police released a statement, which included: “The officers involved were not aware of Mr. Dennis Bodden’s mental health history.”

Bodden’s family disagrees.

“The Pineville police knew about his illness. They knew about it,” said his aunt Julia Bodden.

Pineville Police Department does not have a mental health unit. The department says the two officers involved had undergone de-escalation training.

The family says they were contacted by well-known civil rights attorney Ben Crump and plan to file a lawsuit.