DOBSON, N.C. -- Two Mount Airy officers acted properly in the fatal wounding of a woman who had shot two police officials in June, according to a ruling by Surry County's district attorney.
"I have concluded that the shooting death of Talana Salissa Cain by Sgt. Kyle James and Patrol Officer Geoffrey Stroud was in the line of duty," District Attorney Ricky Bowman said in a statement released earlier this week.
Cain, 45, died on June 10 at her residence on Home Trail after officers responded to a call that she was armed and threatening suicide, and possibly already had shot herself. After they entered her mobile home, the woman fired on police with a shotgun -- wounding both Police Chief Dale Watson and Capt. Alan Freeman -- which prompted the use of deadly force by other officers.
"Law enforcement had gone to the Cain residence to aid and assist Talana Cain," added the statement from the district attorney, who said his findings came from a thorough review of an investigative report and consideration of "all the evidence."
"When she did not answer her door, law enforcement went inside the residence to check on her to ensure she was safe and did not need assistance," Bowman also said in his statement. "She was located in a rear bedroom armed with a shotgun."
Previous reports indicated that the officers "pleaded" repeatedly with Cain to drop the weapon, but she failed to comply -- instead lowering the shotgun and firing on them. Police Chief Dale Watson was wounded in the face, chest and arms, leaving a badly bruised eye among other injuries. Pellets also grazed Capt. Alan Freeman's arm.
"Only after Talana Cain fired the shotgun directly at law enforcement, hitting at least two officers, did Sgt. James and Officer Stroud return fire," the district attorney's statement says. "(Their) actions were in the line of duty, defending fellow officers and themselves."
In all, seven bullets struck Cain, two of which were fatal, according to the results of an autopsy from the state medical examiner's office.
After the incident, James and Stroud were placed on paid administrative leave while an independent probe of the shooting was conducted by the State Bureau of Investigation -- routine procedure in officer-involved shootings.
Before announcing his ruling this week, Bowman had met with SBI Special Agent L.W. Terry to go over the details of the case. The district attorney notes in his statement that based on all the facts, he has recommended the SBI's investigation of the shooting death be closed.
The incident occurred outside the city limits, but Mount Airy officers responded to the Cain home because they were closer to the scene than members of the Surry County Sheriff's Office.
Police Chief Reacts
Chief Watson said Wednesday on behalf of the police department that he is glad the matter has been finalized and for the favorable ruling regarding James' and Stroud's actions.
"We're thankful that the investigation has concluded and we're happy to have these two officers return to duty as soon as possible," he said. "They'll be returning to duty next week."
The chief said Wednesday that he had expected such a ruling from the district attorney. "Based on my involvement at the scene and the totality of the circumstances, I felt it would be a justifiable use of force."
However, Watson and other city officials have several times expressed sympathy for Cain's family and for the unfortunate situation that led to her death.
Now that the case is concluded and the department can adjust its full focus to ongoing responsibilities, the chief said, "we're ready to move ahead and get back to serving the community."
The ruling by the district attorney was the second this year related to the use of deadly force by a Mount Airy Police Department member.
Officer Carlos Garcia was on paid administrative leave for nearly three months after a Dec. 24 shooting on Beechtree Circle, which was ruled justifiable. Garcia fatally shot a man who had fired on police responding to an incident in which the man had killed his stepfather.
McClatchy-Tribune News Service
