Officer cleared in firing of gun
By John Joyce
Published in News on February 24, 2013 1:50 AM
A Goldsboro police officer who discharged his weapon in the line of duty Tuesday has been cleared by an internal investigation and was back on patrol by Friday.
Sgt. Joshua Stine had been on administrative duty since the shooting.
"Both a criminal investigation of the suspect's actions and an internal investigation of the officer's actions were initiated. Both are now complete and the officer is now back at work," said Maj. Alton King, Goldsboro police commander of investigations.
Stine fired his service weapon four times from a distance of 50 or 60 yards, King said.
No one was hit.
Stine was among a group of officers who responded to call at 1209 Collier St. before 3:30 p.m. Tuesday. An armed subject was inside the house.
According to the incident report, Sheldon Decorris Reid, 37, emerged out of his east side door with a shotgun.
"He was ordered to put it down, and did so," King said. "But for some reason, he proceeded to pick it back up and point it at the officers."
That is when Stine fired four rounds from his standard issue Glock 9 mm, King said. The suspect fled back into the house, but was quickly talked out and arrested without further incident.
Reid was taken to Wayne Memorial Hospital, where he was admitted with involuntary commitment papers. He was evaluated by hospital staff and found to be stable.
He was officially charged Wednesday with assault on a law enforcement officer with a firearm and placed in the Wayne County Jail under a $50,000 secured bond.
Reid, following a first appearance in Wayne County Court Thursday, was appointed an attorney. His next court date is scheduled for March 6.