April 21, 2008

 Officers responded to a call for service at approximately 10 a.m. this morning regarding a suspicious occupied vehicle in the driveway of the residence at 5124 Statesville Road.  Officers R. Jackson (34, hired date 5-17-2000) and L. Rahal (23, 8/6/2007) approached the vehicle and found the subject, later identified as Jason Earnest Chappell (WM, DOB 3-19-1979), inside. During the encounter with Mr. Chappell, Officer Jackson fired his service weapon, striking Mr. Chappell. Medic treated and transported Mr. Chappell to the hospital where he is currently listed in critical condition. Neither officer required treatment.

Mr. Chappell currently has four outstanding Orders for Arrest in Mecklenburg County and numerous warrants from Cabarrus County.  

"We know people want details," says Deputy Chief David Graham. "However, our responsibility, both to the officers and Mr. Chappell, is to make sure we conduct a thorough, fair and impartial investigation. We also have an obligation to the district attorney and this community. For these reasons, we are compelled to safeguard the evidence, especially in this very early stage of the investigation."

As is standard procedure with officer-involved shootings, Officers Jackson and Rahal have been placed on paid administrative leave. Also consistent with standard procedure, Homicide detectives are conducting the criminal investigation and will present the results to the Mecklenburg County District Attorney. Internal Affairs is conducting a separate, parallel internal investigation. A Shooting Review Board, made up the officer's chain of command, Internal Affairs and an outside civilian participant from the Community Relations Committee, will review all available evidence and interview appropriate witnesses to determine whether all departmental policies were followed.