A five-year veteran of the Kansas City Police Department has been indicted by a grand jury for the shooting of a man during an arrest last summer.
According to ABC News, Missouri police officer Jacob Ramsey is facing charges of first-degree assault and armed criminal action for the shooting that left a suspect wounded. A plea of not-guilty was entered by a Jackson County judge on Ramsey’s behalf.
Through his attorney, Ramsey has waived his right to a jury trial. He has requested that a judge decide his fate. His trial is scheduled to begin on April 2.
Last June, police went to the home of Anthony Contreras to serve an arrest warrant. According to authorities, the warrant was for Contreras’ failure to appear in court on charges of burglary, resisting arrest and tampering with a motor vehicle.
Police said Ramsey shot 37-year-old Contreras as he was trying to run away from the scene. Family and friends of the suspect stated he was unarmed at the time. Officials have not verified if Contreras was or was not carrying a weapon during the incident.
The Kansas City Fraternal Order of Police said Ramsey acted in compliance with state and federal law and have called the indictment “baseless.” The FOB said in a statement that the officer “justifiably defended himself against a felon previously convicted of resisting arrest, narcotics and illegal possession of a firearm.”
ABC News reported that the organization showed its support for Ramsey by stating “The FOB and its members stand firmly behind Officer Ramsey, who has a flawless record and is an impeccable police officer. The FOB will devote all of its substantial resources to the defense of Officer Ramsey, and will stand by him throughout this process, which will ultimately lead to his acquittal.”
Police Capt. Tye Grant said in a statement that Ramsey, 31, is on unpaid administrative leave. He declined to comment on the case and asked that all questions be directed to the Jackson County prosecutor’s office.
