AR: Man Shot aggressive cop in Self-Defense

Fox 16 in Little Rock is reporting there will be no charges in the July, 2010 Diamondhead shooting, when a police officer was wounded. The Garland County prosecuting attorney’s office says charges will not be filed against homeowner Jerry Chambliss, who says an off-duty police officer attempted to run him over with a car and shot at him.

More importantly, no charges will be filed against police officer Fred Ensminger, according to Prosecuting Attorney Steve Oliver (readers may remember P.A. Oliver from an earlier shooting case). Even though strong evidence exists officer Ensminger used excessive force (at the worst running over Chambliss and then shooting at him as he retreated to his garage), the prosecuting attorney has decided not to bring charges.

The 911 call from Cindy Nelson shows no contradictory evidence in her story. There are, however many discrepancies between the evidence recovered from the scene and from witnesses in regards to officer Ensminger’s story. Ensminger says he never left his vehicle; a spent cartridge from his firearm was found on the front windshield of his vehicle. Ensminger also said Chambliss fired first; a witness heard gunshots, then a pause, then more gunshots from a different firearm. This account from the witness matches Chambliss’s report which says he was struck by Ensminger’s truck, then he ran to the garage as he was being shot at by Ensminger.

Public pressure will surely come to bear on the Garland County prosecuting attorney’s office to charge Ensminger, especially since Ensminger’s past is coming to light. Ensminger shot a suspect in 2005 while an Alexander law enforcement officer, but was later said to be justified in the shooting. Months later, he was fired from the Shannon Hills police department for an alleged assault. He resigned from the Alexander police department in 2006 after being arrested for assaulting his girlfriend.

Both of today's stories may make an Arkansan wonder; why are we taking the guns away from heroes, especially when our most trusted public officials are shooting at us?

Original report here




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