[kellyhound]

OCONEE COUNTY, S.C. Dashcam video has been released in the case of a teenager killed by an officer, as officials announce that the officer in the shooting will not face state charges, according to a statement from 10th Judicial Circuit Solicitor Chrissy Adams.

Adams said in a news release Tuesday morning that the case is now closed from the state’s standpoint.

Zach Hammond, 19, died at about 8:20 p.m. July 26 in the parking lot of Hardee's on Bypass 123 in Seneca when he was shot twice by Lt. Mark Tiller during an undercover drug sting that targeted Tori Diana Morton, 23, who was a passenger in Hammond’s car.

In a letter to the State Law Enforcement Division explaining her decision not to file charges, Adams gave her interpretation of what she said is shown in the video. She said: “The dashcam video shows Lt. Tiller pulling his vehicle behind Hammond’s parked car.

Hammond can be seen on video subsequently putting his car in reverse. Hammond is able to reverse and maneuver his vehicle between Tiller’s patrol car and (Seneca police Sgt. B.J.) McClure’s car.

Tiller quickly approaches Hammond’s car on the driver’s side with his gun drawn and repeatedly orders Hammond to stop and to show his hands. Hammond then puts his car in drive in order to attempt to flee the scene.

Hammond ignores Lt. Tiller’s clear instructions to stop and show his hands. Hammond then puts his car in drive in order to attempt to flee the scene. Hammond then turns the car hard left toward Lt. Tiller resulting in Lt. Tiller being face-to-face with Hammond at the driver’s window.

The dashcam video shows Hammond’s vehicle veering toward Lt. Tiller and accelerating rapidly. Tiller back pedals a few steps to avoid being knocked down by Hammond’s car and is seen pushing off the vehicle as it veers towards him.

The dashcam video shows Tiller’s feet going underneath the car at the approximate time the shots are fired. This can also be seen in the still photos provided by the FBI lab. Two shots are fired in rapid succession.

The first shot can be heard almost immediately after Tiller pushes off the car and when his body is still exposed to danger from the vehicle. The second shot immediately follows. The car accelerated with such force that a concrete curb was damaged as well as Hammond’s front passenger-side tire.

Tiller is heard on the dashcam video seconds after the shooting saying Hammond tried to hit him with the car. The situation rapidly unfolded and, as evidenced by the dash cam video, Tiller was forced to decide whether or not to fire his weapon in less than three seconds.”

In the release, Adams lays out what she says is Hammond’s background of drug involvement, based largely on cellphone records later acquired. She also said Hammond had cocaine and a drug used to cut cocaine in his system that he had used it within 3-6 hours of the shooting, and was under the influence of the drug at the time of the shooting. She said the coroner also found cocaine in Hammond’s pocket after the teen’s death.

Adams said, “The video viewed at full speed, standing alone, is troublesome. However, when the video and the totality of the investigation is evaluated and the laws of our State are applied, it is clear that Lt. Tiller broke no State laws.

The evidence from this investigation corroborates and supports Lt. Tiller’s belief that he was going to be run over. Therefore, the only conclusion that can be rendered is that deadly force was justified.”

Hammond's parents, Angie and Paul Hammond, and their attorneys spoke after meeting with Adams on Tuesday morning.

[Desensitisation]

Cop prevented a dangerous high-speed chase. Good for him.

[PostalGlock'n]

So, jumping in front of the car is someone trying to hit you

[Illusion]

Killed over a bag of marijuana.

[m1324]

Shitty police state.

[rilvulan671]

Whatever you idiots have to tell yourselves.

[Mufasa7]

I wonder if the passenger will be charged as an accessory to murder (sometimes this does indeed happen, police actions transfer to the criminal for causing the scene)

[Arevalosocom]

POS statist cop.

[cortdb]

i mean i am all for shooting the guy if he actually tried to run the cop over but hell the cop couldve just stepped away and he put his own self in front of the car to begin with. I dunno how i feel about this......

[murofhsirgo]

cop didnt have to thrust himself in front of the car. did someone say this was over a bag of smoke? we need better gun control requirements of the cops just sayin'