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Officer indicted in fatal traffic stop shooting

Posted at 11:44 PM, May 29, 2012
and last updated 2012-05-30 08:26:47-04

CULPEPER, Va. (WTVR)--A police officer has been indicted for shooting and killing a woman during a bizarre traffic stop in Culpeper.

A special grand jury has handed up a four count indictment against Officer Daniel Harmon-Wright, that includes a murder charge.

The 32-year-old officer shot and killed 54-year-old Patricia Cook, a Sunday school teacher, back on February 9, 2012.

Harmon-Wright has said he only fired his gun because she drove off with his arm trapped in the window of her Jeep Wrangler, and that she refused to stop.
 
But an eyewitness has told the media the officer was not dragged by the vehicle.
 
Officer Harmon-Wright has been suspended without pay.

Cook’s husband has filed a multi-million dollar wrongful death suit. The suit alleges the officer shot at her at close range several times, as she attempted to drive off.