Video released of officer shooting homeowner, family says man is now paralyzed

theGRIO REPORT - Last Thursday, Bryant Heyward grabbed his brother’s 40-caliber handgun and called 911 report that two men had broken into his Hollywood home.

May 12, 2015

Last Thursday, Bryant Heyward grabbed his brother’s 40-caliber handgun and called 911 report that two men had broken into his Hollywood home.

According to WCIV-TV he told the dispatcher he was hiding in the utility room, which is where two Charleston County sheriff’s deputies — Keith Tyner and Richard Powell – found him.

Deputies gave the South Carolina homeowner less than two seconds to drop his handgun before Tyner fired his weapon.

Heyward was told to show his hands, but according to audio recorded by the patrol car’s dashboard camera – shots were fired before the command had even finished coming out of the officers mouth.

Heyward was then ordered to put his hands in the air a second time – even after the gunshots.

A bullet struck the 26 year old in the neck, and his family attorney said he is unable to speak or move his legs.
An attorney hired by his family says the shooting was clearly not justified. The sheriff’s office on the other hand cautioned against drawing conclusions before the investigation was complete.

Deputies eventually arrested 22-year-old Thomas Brown on first-degree burglary and attempted murder charges. A second suspect, identified as Joshua Simmons, remains at large.

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