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Henrico officer indicted for shooting woman during traffic stop

Posted at 12:11 PM, Feb 26, 2016
and last updated 2016-02-27 00:02:27-05

HENRICO COUNTY, Va. -- A Henrico County police officer was indicted for shooting a woman during a December 15 traffic stop on Nine Mile Road. Joel Greenway was charged with malicious wounding, shooting into an occupied vehicle and use of a firearm in the commission of a felony.

Kimberly McNeil was a passenger in her boyfriend’s parked car, when Officer Greenway came up on the passenger side and asked them to roll down the window, according to sources familiar with the case. Those sources said the driver started to pull away – and that is when the officer started shooting into the vehicle from the passenger side.

McNeil survived the shooting in which she suffered four gunshot wounds to her neck and hands.

"The investigation was led by two Henrico County Police violent crimes detectives, and brought before a grand jury. The grand jury found probable cause to issue true bills of indictment for malicious wounding, use of a firearm during the commission of malicious wounding, and maliciously shooting into an occupied vehicle. The grand jury considered the facts of the case and made a decision, as they would in any case," Henrico Commonwealth’s Attorney Shannon Taylor said.

Greenway's attorney said late Friday afternoon his client is looking for his day in court and the truth coming out. He said that Greenway has enjoyed serving and protecting the public for three years.

Greenway, who was granted a $10,000 secured bond and is on paid administrative leave, is due back in court on March 28.

Kimberly McNeil

Kimberly McNeil

Family Reacts 

McNeil's family was relieved by the news.

“Thank God. It looks like we are finally going to get some justice though,” said John McNeil, Kimberly McNeil's cousin “We’re glad he was finally brought up on charges.”

McNeil said the incident has left the family shaken.

“It is hard to trust anybody. Who can you trust," Mayo asked. “It was hard because she has never been through something like that before.”

McNeil was shot four times while sitting in her boyfriend’s car when police said Greenway walked up to the car and asked the pair to roll down the window. Instead the driver pulled away. Kimberly McNeil asked him to stop.

That is when Greenway fired his weapon hitting McNeil in the hands and back of the head. Greenway’s body camera was not active at the time.

McNeil’s two cousins are grateful Kimberly survived, but said she is a changed woman.

“She was a perfectly healthy woman before this shooting took place,” McNeil said.

John McNeil said despite her injuries his cousin is delivering an olive branch to Greenway.

“That she forgives you," McNeil said. "She will see you in court and let justice be served.”

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