GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD) — A deputy who shot a drug trafficking suspect will not be facing charges even though prosecutors say his actions were “completely wrong.”
Kent County Prosecutor Chris Becker announced Wednesday Deputy Andrew Hinds will not be charged in connection to the shooting of Yusef Phillips at the Burton’s Landing apartment complex in Grand Rapids on Sept. 3.
On the day of the shooting, the Kent County Sheriff’s Department Tactical Apprehension and Confrontation Team along with the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration were executing multiple search warrants in the Grand Rapids area. Authorities were also trying to arrest two suspected drug traffickers — Yusef Phillips and Ray Lee.
When the two suspects left the apartment complex, located on Whispering Way Drive SE, Hinds and other deputies came up behind them. Then Hinds and other yelled, “Police! Stop, get on the ground!” Hinds says he saw Phillips reach for his waistband just before he fired the shot.
Investigators found the only thing that could have been in Phillips’ hands at the time of the shooting was a set of car keys.
Becker said although Hinds’ decision was wrong, it doesn’t mean it was criminal. Given the facts in the case, the prosecutor says it’s impossible to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that Hinds didn’t act in self-defense.