No charges for US Marshal who killed man during Charlotte arrest

The Mecklenburg County District Attorney's Office says they will not be seeking charges against the U.S. Marshal who fatally shot a man during an attempted arrest at a Charlotte gas station in March 2021.

In a letter sent to Charlotte-Mecklenburg police chief Johnny Jennings on Tuesday, District Attorney Spencer B. Merriweather III said his office would decline to bring charges against Ofc. Eric Tillman as part of their investigation into the death of Frankie Jennings (no apparent relation to Chief Jennings). Tillman was a member of the US Marshals' Carolinas Regional Fugitive Task Force (CRFTF) who, on March 23, 2021 was a member of the force that went to a gas station along The Plaza in Charlotte to arrest Frankie Jennings. Jennings was wanted on several active warrants, including assault with a deadly weapon against a law enforcement officer, discharging a firearm, within city limits, and two counts of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.

[chrismanning]

Nobody in his family told him to turn himself in. But, they are ready to get that check in a lawsuit.

[dmitrykarkov]

No reason for the criminal to touch his gun unless he intended to use it. That’s called an imminent threat.

[_DennisSociety]

“They say the family hopes Jennings death will inspire change”

Change like.. if police hop out on yo behind, DO NOT hop in a car with a visible firearm unless u ready to pay the price. Thats the change I hope my brothers and sisters take in.

[KevinAClassA]

If you are wanted by the USMS, you are most definitely not an innocent person.

[alansohn]

He was wanted by police, let alone the US Marshals. If he thought running was going to help, let alone reaching for a firearm would inspire change for law enforcement, I doubt it.

[michaelreyes]

You know what’s crazy? If he let himself get arrested, he’d still be alive.

[michaelgriffin]

If your being pursued by the marshals, you did something bad. Like real bad.

[pdub]

He chose to resist rather than surrender peacefully, he chose poorly. Family just wants a payout

[connorcostello]

I love how all of these news stories immediately paint law enforcement as the bad guys and the wanted felon with a loaded handgun is the victim

[judyodr]

Why isn't "the family" being charged as well for housing a fugitive?

[DarthFrazer]

If he would have taken care of the warrants and took personal responsibility for his actions the police would not have had a reason to come after him.

[ArmyVetndAbn]

Good job to all the LEO's and US Marshall's who put their lives on the line every day to protect us, thanks for your service.

[DANBOYGYM]

Inspire change in how criminals act is what the family should hope for.

[patrickguerriero]

That’s when you just put your hands up and let them arrest you. They literally can’t shoot you then.

[cowpie]

Inspire change in the criminals who just because you drive a Mercedes and dress nice, dont mean that your still not a criminal. I have never ever in my 68 years ever had to run from the police, because I aint no criminal never have been never will be. I love my freedom too much and I respect myself.

[Rocky]

My rebuttal for the suspect's attorney is. He was pumping gas and his vehicle was stopped, which means his vehicle was put in "park" mode. The gear shift is located in the center console. For him to move his vehicle forward while his left hand is being held by the US Marshals, he would of had to use the gear shift with his right hand located in the center console. Therefore, putting his right hand in very close or even in possession of the firearm located in the cup holder in the center console. The attorney states that his right hand was on the steering wheel at the 12 O clock position. It would be impossible for his right hand to be in that position and operate the gear shifter at the same time. In conclusion, at some point during the struggle the suspect put his hand on or near the center console. Which would justify shooting the suspect if the marshals believed that he was reaching for the firearm located to in the center console cup holder.

[MontyRoyal]

If he turned himself into jail he'd still be alive.

[MrBoroski]

They had a case against him by the way they pulled up on him, they were watching him.

It was justified man, why hop in the car whilst running from feds with a VISIBLE pistol in the damn center?!

[roscoep]

Family members can be disappointed but they know what they raised...

[christopherjordan]

They want this to "change how police interact with people" when it should change how people interact with police.