The shooting of an army reservist who attacked MPs was justified

SARATOGA, N.C — District Attorney Jeff Marsigli has ruled that a Wilson County deputy was justified in shooting an Army reservist who was attacking police officers who were called to his home in September 2023.

Authorities and Lamoris Speight Jr.’s family agree he was in a mental health crisis when he choked a police officer and tried to take his gun away.

Deputy Bruce White shot Speight Jr. to stop the attack outside a home on Main Street in Saratoga.

According to the sheriff’s office incident report, “Speight received multiple commands to release the deputy and release his weapon. As the deputy was about to lose consciousness, a deputy on scene discharged his firearm. “Mr. Speight.”

Speight’s family members told WRAL News that they believe officers should have used other methods to de-escalate the situation before shooting him.

Get Help: County-by-County Guide to Mental Health and Crisis Resources in North Carolina