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Moore County Sheriff Neil Godfrey announced Tuesday that Arthur Kenzie Garner did not fire his weapon at law enforcement in the early hours of July 28.

Sheriff Godfrey held a press conference Tuesday afternoon with an update on the investigation.

Sheriff Godfrey stated that officers fired after Garner raised his weapon in the direction of the officers. At that time, officers fired on the suspect, and he received a fatal gunshot wound to the chest.

Initially, the Moore County Sheriff’s Office said when law enforcement arrived at the home for a domestic incident in the 100 block of Forrest Place Drive in Aberdeen, Garner began shooting at the officers.

Sheriff Godfrey did say that the SBI is conducting its own investigation and will issue the final ruling on what actually happened, and whether any officers involved will face disciplinary action or prosecution. This is standard procedure in such cases.

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Rifle at scene, photo courtesy of Moore County Sheriff’s Office

Godfrey advised that the four deputies involved in the shooting have been cleared to return to active duty. The deputies involved are Sgt. Sean Ballard, Corporal Dustin Hussey, Stephanie Griffin, and Justin Mack. Aberdeen and Pinehurst also had officers present at the time of the shooting.

Audio recordings of the 911 calls and the officers radio traffic were released at the press conference. Sheriff Godfrey stated there was a video of the incident as well.

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Arthur Kenzie Garner photo from Remembering Kenzie Garner Facebook Page.

The Sheriff stated the suspect was instructed multiple times to lay down his weapon prior to the shooting. Godfrey offered a handout of the Moore County Sheriff’s Office policy on the Use of Force, and said the officers were within policy to protect themselves.

Godfrey offered an apology for the initial misunderstanding about the officer firing after the suspect opened fire. 

Garner’s family were not in attendance at the press conference, and Godfrey stated they had not heard the audio tapes provided.

Feature photo: Sheriff Neil Godfrey at Tuesday’s press conference.

911 Calls and police radio traffic . (both 911 calls came in around the same time)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Arthur Kenzie Garner, 33, from Aberdeen,  was  killed in an officer involved shooting the morning of July 28.

Initially , authorities said when Moore County Deputies and Pinehurst Police arrived at a home for a domestic incident in the 100 block of Forrest Place Drive just before 3:00 a.m., the man began shooting at the officers.

Just after Garner’s death, his family said they doubted he fired any shots.

No officers were reported injured.

Moore County Law enforcement at the scene were Sgt. Sean Ballard, Corp. Dustin Hussey, Deputy Justin Mack, and Deputy Stephanie Griffin.

Pinehurst Police Officers at the scene were Sergeant Jason Caulder and Officer Michael Muse.

Authorities originally did not release how many shots fired or details about the 911 call before the shooting.

 

 

 

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