MADISON, Ala. (AP) — An Alabama city has put on hold plans to honor three police officers who were involved in the fatal shooting of a Black man outside a gym, according to officials.
Madison Police Chief Dave Jernigan announced he decided to halt the ceremony at City Hall after speaking with Mayor Paul Finley, saying the timing was “not optimal,” news outlets reported Monday, citing a statement from Jernigan.
The officers who were set to be presented with departmental medals were among those involved in a confrontation with Dana Fletcher, 39, outside a gymnasium in October 2019 after responding to a report of a suspicious person, Al.com reported.
Fletcher’s wife and 8-year-old daughter were with him in a van when officers approached them, Cherelle Fletcher posted publicly on Facebook at the time.
Cherelle Fletcher maintained that her husband was not armed, but a still image taken from police video and released by Madison County District Attorney Rob Broussard showed what appeared to be a gun in Dana Fletcher’s left hand.