The two officers involved in a fatal shooting behind Bill's Bottle Store last month have been cleared to return to patrol following an internal review and a "no bill" ruling by a Midland County grand jury.
After hearing evidence from a Texas Rangers investigation, a Midland County grand jury ruled Wednesday afternoon that Sgt. Gregory Snow and Officer Dayton Weatherford were found to have committed no criminal wrongdoing in the June 6 shooting of 42-year-old Joe Nevels, who charged at one of the officers with a box cutter after disregarding their commands. Nevels was pronounced deceased at Midland Memorial Hospital after the incident, which occurred behind the shop located at the intersection of Midland Drive and Neely Avenue.
MPD and the Midland Fire Department originally responded to the scene around 8 p.m. after receiving reports from employees of the store that Nevels had entered and exited the store repeatedly and was acting suspicious. He was believed by employees to have stolen from the store and was bleeding from self-induced cuts.
Shortly after police officers arrived, Nevels charged at an officer with a box cutter, and both officers fired rounds after attempting to use verbal commands to defuse the situation.
Both officers were placed on administrative leave per MPD policy immediately following the incident and a Texas Rangers investigation was launched. An internal MPD administrative review board found the two officers to be in compliance with all state/federal laws and department policy late Thursday afternoon.
Snow has been with the department for 16 years; Weatherford has been with the department approximately one and a half years.
###Media Contact: Public Information Officer Sara Bustilloz