Oklahoma City Police Chief, Village Police Release Statements After Charges Dropped In Multiple Officer-Involved Shootings

Oklahoma City Police Chief Wade Gourley released a statement Friday after the Oklahoma County district attorney dropped charges in three deadly officer-involved shootings, two of which happened in Oklahoma City. The Village Police Department also released a statement Friday addressing the third officer-involved shooting, which happened in the Village.

This includes five police officers in the death of a metro teen. Stavian Rodriguez was shot to death by Oklahoma City Police officers during a robbery in November 2020. It includes one Village Police officer in the death of 49-year-old Christopher Poor on July 25, 2020. And it includes one police officer in the death of 60-year-old Bennie Edwards on Dec. 11, 2020.

Related Stories:

1. Oklahoma County DA Drops Charges In Officer-Involved Shootings
2. WATCH VIDEO: Oklahoma County DA Vicki Behenna Press Conference
3. ATCH VIDEO: OKC Fraternal Order Of Police News Conference

Gourley’s full statement can be read below:

Today, an announcement was made but the Oklahoma County District Attorney’s Office conveying their decision to not move forward with the cases against 6 Oklahoma City Police Officers. This has been an arduous and lengthy journey and I am grateful for everyone’s patience throughout.

The wheels of justice often turn slowly and today’s decision, while important, will not by itself ease the pain for the families and friends of Bennie Edwards and Stavian Rodrigues; the deep-rooted effect on our community; nor the profound emotional toll on the involved officers and their families. Please continue to pray for everyone involved.

Our focus now shifts towards healing and learning. We started down this path two and a half years ago by taking a critical look at ourselves and with the guidance of experts we have implemented significant changes within our department. I would like to share some of the steps we have taken.

One of our key initiatives involved establishing a reality-based training unit, which has equipped every member of our police department with better de-escalation strategies and best in-class tactics. Additionally, we have provided officers with more less-lethal equipment and increased the number of officers and dispatchers with crisis intervention training. We are committed to continual improvement to ensure the people of Oklahoma City receive the professional and compassionate service everyone deserves.

In the same vain, we also recognize our responsibility to work closely with everyone in our city to earn trust. I promise our efforts to listen and learn from our community will continue

I want to thank the Oklahoma County District Attorney’s Office for their diligence and hard work. I know this has not been easy.

Together we will continue to work toward a safer and more united Oklahoma City.

Thank you.

The Village Police Department's full statement can be read here:

On July 25, 2020, Village Police Cpl. Chance Avery was dispatched to stand-by at a domestic disturbance. While at the residence Cpl. Avery was confronted by an individual with a metal bat and ended up discharging his weapon and striking the subject, who later died. Corporal Avery was later charged with manslaughter in District Court for the shooting.

After a thorough and critical review of the charge against Cpl. Avery, District Attorney Behenna announced today that she has dismissed the charge against him. We strongly agree with her decision. Law enforcement is an integral part of the criminal justice system and we participate and trust in it.

We recognize and respect the value of human life and our number one priority is the protection of all life. We view any loss of life as a tragedy and understand the griet of the family who lost someone. We also know the burden on our officer and his family has been heavy for the last three years.

We are thankful this case has reached a point of conclusion. As we strive to do every day, the men and women of The Village Police Department will continue to work with our community to provide professional law enforcement services.