In a shocking turn of events, a grand jury in Mississippi has declined to indict Sergeant Greg Capers, the police officer who shot and killed 11-year-old Aderrien Murry earlier this year. The incident occurred in May when Nakala Murry, Aderrien's mother, handed her phone to her son and instructed him to call the police about an “irate” former partner who had shown up on their property in Indianola, Mississippi. Police arrived two hours later after the former partner had left. They ordered everyone inside the home to come out with their hands up.

The 4ft10 Aderrien complied with the police instructions, but instead of being protected, he was shot in the chest by Sergeant Greg Capers. According to Carlos Moore, the attorney for the Murry family, their position is not that Capers intentionally shot Aderrien but rather that he intended to shoot Nakala's ex-partner and "shot too early without looking." Moore expressed his disbelief at the confusion, stating, "The boy does not have the stature of the assailant, who would have been about 5ft10, so I don't know how he got confused."

Despite the tragic outcome, a Mississippi grand jury has found that Sergeant Capers did not engage in criminal activity, as reported by local outlet WJTV. However, Capers could still be held liable in a pending civil case filed by the Murry family. Michael Carr, Capers' lawyer, stated that his client was relieved by the grand jury's decision but acknowledged that he could still face consequences in the civil lawsuit. Carr emphasized that the shooting, while tragic, might not necessarily constitute a constitutional violation or a criminal act.

To win their case in civil court, the Murry family will have to demonstrate recklessness on the part of Sergeant Capers. Aderrien suffered severe injuries, including a collapsed lung, fractured ribs, and a lacerated liver. Doctors informed the family that the bullet came within an inch of piercing vital organs. Aderrien spent four days in the hospital, and his mental health has also been deeply impacted by the incident. Speaking to CNN, he revealed, "Sometimes, I can see myself laying inside the coffin. Those are my thoughts at night, my only ones."

The release of body camera footage could potentially shed light on the events leading up to the shooting, but the Mississippi Bureau of Investigation has refused to release the footage while the investigation is ongoing. Magistrate Judge David Sanders supported the city of Indianola's decision to bar the release of the footage, although Carlos Moore has appealed this decision. Moore stated that the Murry family has seen the footage but cannot describe it publicly due to the judge's ruling. However, he affirmed that the family continues to call for the video's release, suggesting that it contains damaging evidence against the city of Indianola.

The Indianola Board of Aldermen placed Sergeant Capers on unpaid administrative leave in June, and a vote will need to be held for him to return to work and receive pay. The city of Indianola, which has a population of approximately 9,300 residents, is located in the rural Mississippi Delta region. The shooting occurred in the early hours of the morning after Nakala Murry called the police about her ex-partner's presence at her home. Despite the officer's personal and financial suffering, Capers' attorney, Michael Carr, expressed his relief at the grand jury's decision and said his client looked forward to serving the community again.

While the grand jury's decision has brought an end to any further criminal action at the state level, the Murry family intends to seek accountability through a federal civil lawsuit. Carlos Moore stated that the family firmly believes that the shooting was unjustified and that there are still unanswered questions. The family has already filed a federal lawsuit seeking at least $5 million in damages, accusing Indianola of failing to properly train the officer and alleging that Capers used excessive force. They plan to file a second lawsuit under state law next month in Sunflower County Circuit Court.

This tragic incident highlights the ongoing issue of police violence and the disproportionate impact it has on communities of color. The Murry family continues to fight for justice and accountability, hoping to shed light on the circumstances surrounding Aderrien's untimely death. The Independent has reached out to the Mississippi Bureau of Investigation for comment but has yet to receive a response.