Case Closed: Bibb District Attorney Says No Charges Against Officer Involved in Kroger Shooting

MACON, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) — Bibb County Judicial Circuit District Attorney, David Cooke, says there will be no charges filed against Macon Police Officer Clayton Sutton in the December shooting of Sammie Davis, Jr.

In a news conference, Cooke called the shooting “tragic but justified.” He said it would be wrong to press criminal charges against Officer Sutton who, “feared for his life” and others on that day.

Cooke opened the news conference by saying that the facts of this case are “dramatically different” than what has been reported in the media.

“The report is both thorough and conclusive,” said Cooke, “these facts show that Officer Sutton was injured in the line of duty… Officer Sutton reasonably feared for his life.”

Cooke says Sutton responded to a 911 call from a woman who had just left Kroger, saying she was concerned because of Davis’ behavior. When Sutton arrived, he confronted Davis, Davis charged the officer, and grab Sutton. Cooke says the officer then felt like a knife was cutting his neck.

The D.A. released a picture of Sutton’s neck which shows a bloody cut.

Cooke says the case file also reveals that that Davis had a history of mental illness, and a history of violence at the same Kroger.

“Mr. Davis had a history of untreated mental illness… we now know that Mr. Davis had a 30 year history of schizophrenia and had not been taking his medication,” said Cooke.

In 2010, Davis frightened a 14 year old girl in the parking lot. When the store manager confronted Davis, the he was pushed into a wall by Davis. The incident left scars on the manager that are still visible today.

Cooke said in conclusion, the “case is now closed and there will be no charges filed.”