Video: Grand Jury Clears Officer Tyler Cook Of Any Wrongdoing In Shooting Death of Ronnie Shumpert

TUPELO, MISS. (WCBI) – “After presentation of the case and due deliberation, the Grand Jury found that Tyler Cook acted lawfully on June 18 and has cleared Officer Cook of any wrongdoing,” said District Attorney John Weddle.

The announcement clearing Officer Cook comes 44 days after Ronnie Shumpert was shot during a struggle behind a house on Harrison Street.

The Mississippi Bureau of Investigation was called in immediately.

“The Mississippi Bureau of Investigation is a fact finding organization, that’s its mission. It does that through proven investigative techniques and science,” said MBI spokesman Warren Strain.

Their probe found that a car driven by Shumpert pulled into the Town House Motel, a known trouble spot, under surveillance that evening by the Street Crimes Unit.

Officer Joseph Senter followed the car, into the Lee Acres subdivision. Officer Senter flashed his siren and blue lights when he noticed the vehicle’s tag light was not working, and the driver failed to signal for a turn.

After driving onto Harrison Street, Shumpert bailed, leading officers on a foot chase.

Officer Tyler Cook was nearby with his K9, Alec, and tracked Shumpert to this crawl space. Cook ordered Shumpert out, and when he failed to comply, sent Alec in to get Shumpert.

The investigation found Shumpert fought the K9, then came out, tackling Officer Cook, and straddling the Officer, exchanging blows, until Cook shot Shumpert four times.

District Attorney John Weddle says the evidence disproved claims made by the Shumpert family attorney.

“Some claims are as follows, number one, that as Shumpert attempted to surrender, K9 Alec viciously mutilated parts of Shumpert’s body, causing severe injuries to the right side of his back and groin, however, there are no injuries noted in the autopsy consistent with a dog bite,” Weddle said.

Members of the media were allowed to see other pre autopsy photos, and photos of the K9 Alec, who, as we first reported, has hardly any teeth because he tried to chew his way out of a kennel a few years ago. Of course, there is still a $35,000,000 civil lawsuit pending against the city .

There is no word on when Officer Cook will be back on regular patrol duties.
Also, District Attorney Weddle showed photos to the media about alleged dog scratches on Shumpert’s back.
The state medical examiner sad those marks came from the autopsy as pathologists attempted to recover bullets.  Pre autopsy photos show no injuries to Shumpert’s back.   The media were also shown photos of the car Shumpert was driving.  The photos show the tag light was not operational that evening.