News

Actions

Portsmouth officer indicted on first-degree murder charge for unarmed teen’s death

Posted at 5:39 PM, Sep 03, 2015
and last updated 2015-09-03 17:40:32-04

PORTSMOUTH, Va. -- A grand jury has indicted Portsmouth, Virginia, police Officer Stephen Rankin on a first-degree murder charge related to the shooting of an unarmed teen in a Walmart parking lot, according to public Virginia court records.

William Chapman, 18, was fatally shot on April 22.

Police responded to a shoplifting call at a Walmart, after which the officer approached Chapman, according to Jon Babineau, an attorney for the teen's family.

William Chapman -- WTKR

William Chapman (SOURCE: WTKR)

There was a struggle between the officer and Chapman before the shooting, according to a witness.

"The guy charged at him -- like took two steps toward him to come fight him, so the cop opened fire," a witness told CNN affiliate WTKR.

Babineau told CNN, "The police officer had the ability to either step back or step aside. There's no evidence of lunging."

An autopsy report obtained by CNN shows that Chapman was shot in the face and chest. The shooting was ruled a homicide.

Last week, CNN tried but was unable to reach Rankin for comment. Virginia Police Benevolent Association executive director Sean Mcgowan declined to comment.