There will be no charges placed against a South Carolina police officer who shot and killed an unarmed 19-year-old teen during a drug sting. The victim was returning from a date that day.
Solicitor Chrissy Adams said that Seneca officer Mark Tiller will not face state charges regarding his fatal shooting of unarmed 19-year-old Zachary Hammond. Federal authorities are still investigating the details and will determine whether Tiller will face federal charges at a later time.
According to a federal lawsuit filed by Hammond’s family, the victim had finished taken a woman on a first date when he drove them both to Hardee’s to get food. The woman, Tori Morton, arranged a marijuana deal with an undercover officer. Police cars swarmed Hammond’s car, and he tried to leave. Claiming that Hammond tried to hit an officer, Tiller shot Hammond.
Paramedics arrived at the scene and pronounced Hammond dead. Officers left Hammond’s body on the ground for 90 minutes, and it was bitten and stung by ants. Some officers also defiled HAmmond’s body by high-fiving it.
For more on this story, visit Talking Points Memo “Official: No Charges For Cop Who Fatally Shot Teen Returning From First Date”
