Shooting of Jason Harley Kloepfer: Difference between revisions

Content deleted Content added

Inline

Latest revision as of 02:57, 12 March 2024

Jason Harley Kloepfer, a 41-year-old man, was shot on December 13, 2022, by the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indian Police SWAT Team at Kloepfer's home in Murphy, North Carolina, United States.^[1]^[2]^[3] Kloepfer survived and in January 2023 released surveillance video from inside his home that showed events that differed from the initial account of the shooting given by the Cherokee County Sheriff's Office, which claimed that Kloepfer engaged in a "verbal altercation with officers" and "confronted officers".^[2]^[4]^[5] The video showed that Kloepfer exited his house with his arms raised as per police's instructions, while he was holding onto a cigarette and a camera-equipped robot which police had thrown into his home; Kloepfer was shot around four seconds later, when his arms were still raised.^[4]^[6] Within hours of the shooting, Kloepfer was charged with communicating threats, as well as resist, obstruct and delay, but these charges were dropped by March 2023.^[7]^[8] The police's actions are being investigated by the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation.^[1] Kloepfer has filed a federal lawsuit against officers from both police departments.^[9]

Shooting

911 call records showed that there were 13 calls from May 2020 to September 2022 related to Jason Harley Kloepfer's residence, with the records stating that the calls were regarding incidents including "welfare check", "assault", "disturbance" and "fireworks".^[8]

On December 12, 2022, just before 11.20 p.m., a person called 911, claiming to be Kloepfer's neighbor.^[10]^[6] The caller indicated that Kloepfer "about an hour ago, started shooting off fireworks, screaming, yelling, going to kill everyone in the neighborhood ... he's discharging a firearm ... They've been over there screaming, yelling and fighting for the last 45 minutes".^[10] The caller then said: "I just heard his wife screaming 'stop it,' and then a bunch of shots went off and now I can’t hear her over there at all."^[6] The caller then quotes his neighbor as saying: "Send the police, I'll get them too."^[11]

Around 11.20 p.m. on December 12, three Cherokee County deputies arrived at Kloepfer's home, and are heard saying: "We haven’t been able to make contact with anybody at this residence ... There's a detached garage with music blaring in the garage. We can’t get anybody to come to the door at the garage either."^[6] The officers referenced seeing a bullet and security cameras at Kloepfer's home.^[8] The SWAT team of the Eastern Band of the Cherokee Indian Police Department was summoned around 12.20 a.m. on December 13 to handle a potential hostage situation.^[5]^[6]^[3] A search warrant for Kloepfer's home was approved around 2.15 a.m.^[6]^[7] According to Kloepfer's later lawsuit, just before 2 a.m. of the night of the incident, an officer visited the neighbor to view her video of the complained behaviour; the lawsuit alleges that the video's only clear dialogue was a woman’s voice saying "stop" four times, but the video did not discernably show Kloepfer, his wife, or gunfire.^[12]

After the Cherokee Indian Police Department's SWAT Team arrived at Kloepfer's home, surveillance footage from the inside of Kloepfer's house, starting at 4.54 a.m. on December 13, showed police throwing a robot with a light and cameras into Kloepfer's home.^[4]^[5]^[10]^[6] The robot starts to shine a light around the home; two minutes later, a light is shone into Kloepfer's bedroom, and this appears to wake Kloepfer and his wife, who says: "What’s going on?"^[4]^[6] Both call out: "Hello?"^[6] A police officer says through a loudspeaker: "Jason ... Step outside ... Come outside, Jason ... Step outside the door onto the deck and show us your hands. Jason, we just want to talk to you. Come outside."^[1]^[4]^[6] While the officer is speaking, Kloepfer picks up the police's robot.^[6]

At 4.57 a.m. and 16 seconds, Kloepfer opens the door to his home, unarmed and with his hands in the air; he is holding a cigarette and the police's robot.^[4]^[6] Behind Kloepfer is his wife, whose hands are also in the air.^[13] Officers shout for Kloepfer to hold up his hands; at 4.57 a.m. and 20 seconds, Kloepfer is shot multiple times while he was holding up his hands.^[4]^[6] He fell to the floor, crying out: "I’m shot!"^[2]^[13] The police continued shooting even after Kloepfer had fallen to the floor.^[5]

Following the shooting, Kloepfer's wife yells at officers: "What the hell, he's shot, what the hell did you do?!"^[4]^[10] Officers order Kloepfer and his wife to leave the home.^[13] While Kloepfer's wife follows the officers' orders to leave the home, both she and Kloepfer protest that he cannot do that because of his bullet wounds.^[2]^[4] On the floor, Kloepfer drags himself towards the door, protesting: "I don’t have a gun! I didn’t have a gun!"^[4]^[13] He sticks his hands out of the door frame.^[6] At 4.58 a.m, officers enter Kloepfer's home and step over Kloepfer, who still has his hands up.^[2]^[4]^[6] After an initial check of the home, one officer at 4.59 a.m informs another officer to "start working on" Kloepfer.^[4]^[6] Kloepfer is removed from his home.^[4] Three officers re-enter the home at 5 a.m, one shouts: "Fuck bro, fuck", while another says: “Hey, cameras, cameras!"^[4]^[6]

Kloepfer was brought to a hospital and survived the shooting.^[2] He subsequently uploaded photos online showing bullet wounds at his chest, abdomen and arm.^[14]

Aftermath

Police actions and Kloepfer's charges

At 11.42 a.m on December 13, the Cherokee County Sheriff's Office issued a press release stating that after a 911 call regarding multiple gunshots at a residence, police responded to the scene.^[1]^[2]^[6] The press release stated that deputies were "unsuccessful" in contacting the suspect, so the Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office obtained a search warrant, and called in the Cherokee Indian Police Department SWAT Team due to "an armed suspect present and the potential for a hostage situation".^[1]

The press release went on to say that the Cherokee Indian Police SWAT Team shot Kloepfer after Kloepfer "engaged in a verbal altercation with officers and emerged from a camper trailer and confronted officers".^[1]^[2]

The press release stated that Kloepfer received two charges, the first being communicating threats, the second being resist, obstruct and delay, and that more charges were possible, according to the press release.^[7] Kloepfer was scheduled to appear in court on March 9.^[2] By March 1, the charges against Kloepfer had been dropped.^[8]^[15]^[16] According to the local dismissal document, the charge of making threats was dropped "at the request of the prosecuting witness", while the charge of resisting orders was dropped as "the charging document does not list the type of orders given and under what circumstances that this would be a duty of their office".^[17]

The Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians Tribal Council in March 2023 tabled, and on April 6, 2023, approved a request from Cherokee Indian Police Department Chief Carla Neadeau to strip Cherokee Indian Police car and body camera videos of public record status.^[18] On April 25, 2023, the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians Chief Richard Sneed signed the proposed change into law, meaning that court action would be needed before such footage could be published.^[19]

After media outlets requested police footage of the shooting, the Cherokee County Sheriff's Office refused to provide body camera footage, while Cherokee Indian Police Department Chief Carla Neadeau on April 24, 2023 responded: "The Tribe does not have any video or audio recordings responsive to your request."^[20]^[21]

Kloepfer's release of surveillance footage

WLOS reported in January 2023 that surveillance footage, published by Kloepfer, showing the inside of Kloepfer's house, "appears to show a conflicting account of the event" when compared to the Cherokee County Sheriff's Office's press release.^[2] The Cherokee Scout agrees that "key details" of the press release seem to be contradicted.^[22] RTL.hu reported that the surveillance footage showed Kloepfer obeying police commands, in contrast to the press release's claim that Kloepfer confronted police.^[5] Skai Group agreed that Kloepfer was shot despite appearing to have complied with police orders.^[13] The Independent reported that the surveillance footage did not show Kloepfer engaging in a "verbal altercation" or confronting police, as claimed in the press release.^[4]

Cherokee County Sheriff Dustin Smith later stated that the press release was published without him having personal knowledge of what had happened, and the press release "relied on information provided to us from the Cherokee Indian Police Department".^[4]^[11] However, Smoky Mountain News reported that multiple Cherokee County deputies and investigators were at the scene during the shooting,^[6] and also reported that while Sheriff Smith was initially at his office that night, a later radio call after the shooting sees another officer telling Smith that a tribal police unit is "wanting to follow you back to" the sheriff's office, where "they could unwind a little bit", to which Smith responds: "I'll take care of it."^[23] A lawsuit by Kloepfer alleges that Sheriff Smith was on the scene at the time of the shooting.^[12]

Sheriff Smith also stated that the aim of the press release "was not to comment on the subsequent criminal investigation, which remains ongoing, but rather to update the public on a dangerous situation."^[4]^[11] Smith added that he did not see video of the shooting until January 18, 2023.^[1]^[11] Smith used the post to advocate for the creation for a SWAT team for Cherokee County.^[6]

In March 2023, Kloepfer's lawyer said that Kloepfer had even more video footage of the incident.^[24]

Reactions

On January 20, 2023, Kloepfer stated that he was "physically doing better", but he and his wife were mentally "not so good", "out of state for fear of our lives since I got out the hospital".^[1]^[2] He described the incident as a "horrible nightmare" and called his charges "completely wrong".^[2]

Video of the shooting received international attention.^[8] The surveillance footage has circulated online, including on YouTube, with one video receiving almost 100,000 views by the end of January 2023.^[1] Greek media outlet To Vima described the incident as another scandal of police brutality in the United States, and noted social media outrage over the police's use of force.^[14] Hungarian media outlet RTL.hu opined that Kloepfer's wife was lucky not to be shot in this incident.^[5]

Investigation into law enforcement

The North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation in December 2022 started an investigation into the shooting.^[1] The investigation continued past June 2023.^[9] The bureau does not make its investigation results public, but sends them to a district attorney, who will decide whether to file charges against any officers.^[6]

However, on March 27, 2023, the Cherokee County District Attorney, Ashley Welch, sought to recuse from the case, citing that she and an assistant district attorney may be witnesses for the investigation, as they were contacted by a Cherokee County Sheriff's Office deputy hours after the shooting. As the "allegations in this case involve potential crimes committed by a government official", Welch requested the Office of the North Carolina Attorney General (Josh Stein) to step in.^[23]^[25]

On December 18, 2023, a special prosecutor decided that law officers involved in the raid would not face criminal prosecution.^[26]

Lawsuit

Kloepfer in June 2023 filed a federal lawsuit in the United States District Court for the Western District of North Carolina against members of the Cherokee County Sheriff’s Department and the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indian Police Department, amongst others.^[9]^[12]^[27] Kloepfer's lawsuit alleges 25 counts of action, including excessive use of force, trespassing, gross negligence, and making false reports.^[12]^[27]^[28]

References

^ ^a ^b ^c ^d ^e ^f ^g ^h ⁱ ^j Jones, Andrew (February 1, 2023). "Murphy man shot by police, caught on camera, out of hospital; SBI investigating". Asheville Citizen Times. Archived from the original on February 14, 2023. Retrieved February 3, 2023.
^ ^a ^b ^c ^d ^e ^f ^g ^h ⁱ ^j ^k ^l Kepley-Steward, Kristy (January 24, 2023). "Murphy man shot by police releases surveillance video from night of the shooting". WLOS. Archived from the original on January 23, 2023. Retrieved January 24, 2023.
^ ^a ^b Knoepp, Lilly (February 28, 2023). "New details emerge about shooting by Cherokee Indian Police Department SWAT team". Blue Ridge Public Radio. Archived from the original on March 3, 2023. Retrieved March 3, 2023.
^ ^a ^b ^c ^d ^e ^f ^g ^h ⁱ ^j ^k ^l ^m ⁿ ^o ^p ^q Kilander, Gustaf (January 23, 2023). "Video shows police shooting unarmed disabled man". The Independent. Archived from the original on January 23, 2023. Retrieved January 24, 2023.
^ ^a ^b ^c ^d ^e ^f "Videón, ahogy lelövik a rendőrök a felemelt kézzel álló férfit". RTL.hu (in Hungarian). January 23, 2023. Archived from the original on January 23, 2023. Retrieved January 24, 2023.
^ ^a ^b ^c ^d ^e ^f ^g ^h ⁱ ^j ^k ^l ^m ⁿ ^o ^p ^q ^r ^s ^t ^u Kays, Holly (February 8, 2023). "CIPD officers shoot Murphy man in SWAT response". Smoky Mountain News. Archived from the original on February 9, 2023. Retrieved February 9, 2023.
^ ^a ^b ^c "SWAT team members shoot man who confronted officers in Murphy, NC, sheriff says". WTVC. December 14, 2022. Archived from the original on January 24, 2023. Retrieved January 24, 2023.
^ ^a ^b ^c ^d ^e Oehrli, Ryan (March 2, 2023). "Records reveal new information in police shooting of Murphy man; charges dismissed". Asheville Citizen Times. Archived from the original on March 2, 2023.
^ ^a ^b ^c Burgess, Joel (June 23, 2023). "Man shot by officers in his home, captured on security video, sues Cherokee tribal police". Asheville Citizen Times. Retrieved July 6, 2023.
^ ^a ^b ^c ^d Payeton, Dallas (January 24, 2023). "Video shows the moment a man was shot by the Cherokee Indian Police SWAT Team". Local 3 News. Archived from the original on January 25, 2023. Retrieved January 25, 2023.
^ ^a ^b ^c ^d Jones, Andrew (February 14, 2023). "'Kill everyone': The 911 call that led a SWAT team to shoot a Murphy man outside his home". Asheville Citizen Times. Archived from the original on February 14, 2023. Retrieved February 14, 2023.
^ ^a ^b ^c ^d Kays, Holly (June 20, 2023). "Police shooting victim alleges attempted murder, seeks millions in damages". Smoky Mountain News. Retrieved July 6, 2023.
^ ^a ^b ^c ^d ^e "Η συγκλονιστική στιγμή που η αστυνομία της Β.Καρολίνας πυροβολεί έναν άνδρα με αναπηρία που ήταν άοπλος – Δείτε βίντεο". Skai Group (in Greek). January 23, 2023. Archived from the original on January 24, 2023. Retrieved January 24, 2023.
^ ^a ^b "ΗΠΑ: Αστυνομικοί πυροβόλησαν εν ψυχρώ άοπλο στη Βόρεια Καρολίνα". To Vima (in Greek). January 23, 2023. Archived from the original on January 27, 2023. Retrieved January 27, 2023.
^ "Charges dropped against man shot several times by Cherokee Indian Police SWAT Team". WLOS. March 3, 2023. Archived from the original on March 3, 2023. Retrieved March 3, 2023.
^ Foster, Randy (March 7, 2023). "Man shot by SWAT won't face 2 charges". Cherokee Scout. Retrieved March 14, 2023.
^ Kays, Holly (March 15, 2023). "Charges dropped against police shooting victim". Smoky Mountain News. Retrieved March 19, 2023.
^ Kays, Holly (April 7, 2023). "Council votes to remove police cameras from tribe's public records law". Smoky Mountain News. Retrieved July 6, 2023.
^ Burgess, Joel (May 11, 2023). "EBCI Chief signs law making Cherokee Indian Police bodycam videos not open to public". Asheville Citizen Times. Retrieved July 6, 2023.
^ Knoepp, Lilly (April 25, 2023). "Law enforcement declines to provide video footage from SWAT shooting of Murphy man in December". Blue Ridge Public Radio. Retrieved July 6, 2023.
^ Burgess, Joel (April 26, 2023). "Cherokee police chief: No bodycam footage of shooting; Asheville CT made records request". Asheville Citizen Times. Archived from the original on April 28, 2023. Retrieved July 6, 2023.
^ Putnam, Jared (January 24, 2023). "Shooting video sparks concerns". Cherokee Scout. Archived from the original on January 24, 2023. Retrieved February 3, 2023.
^ ^a ^b Kays, Holly (March 29, 2023). "DA recuses herself from police shooting case". Smoky Mountain News. Retrieved April 15, 2023.
^ "Another video set to drop in shooting". Cherokee Scout. March 28, 2023. Retrieved April 15, 2023.
^ Oehrli, Ryan (April 10, 2023). "Murphy man shot by SWAT says cops should be in jail; DA asks Attorney General to step in". Asheville Citizen Times. Archived from the original on April 14, 2023. Retrieved April 15, 2023.
^ Foster, Randy (March 5, 2024). "Law officers will not face criminal charges in raid". Cherokee Scout. Murphy, NC: Community Newspapers Inc. p. 1A.
^ ^a ^b Nefzi, Samiar (June 23, 2023). "Attorney of Cherokee man shot by SWAT team says law enforcement's handling of case is 'an abomination'". WLOS. Retrieved July 8, 2023.
^ "Cherokee County man files civil complaint after being shot by SWAT team". WLOS. June 22, 2023. Retrieved July 6, 2023.

External links

Surveillance video of the shooting: Shooting of Jason Harley Kloepfer – December 13, 2022 on YouTube

Press release on December 13, 2022 [1] by the Cherokee County Sheriff's Office on Facebook

Press release on January 20, 2023 [2] by the Cherokee County Sheriff's Office on Facebook

Federal lawsuit complaint and jury trial demand - June 20, 2023 by Jason H. Kloepfer

[Jones-1] ^ ^a ^b ^c ^d ^e ^f ^g ^h ⁱ ^j Jones, Andrew (February 1, 2023). "Murphy man shot by police, caught on camera, out of hospital; SBI investigating". Asheville Citizen Times. Archived from the original on February 14, 2023. Retrieved February 3, 2023.

[Kristy-2] ^ ^a ^b ^c ^d ^e ^f ^g ^h ⁱ ^j ^k ^l Kepley-Steward, Kristy (January 24, 2023). "Murphy man shot by police releases surveillance video from night of the shooting". WLOS. Archived from the original on January 23, 2023. Retrieved January 24, 2023.

[KnoeppDetails-3] Knoepp, Lilly (February 28, 2023). "New details emerge about shooting by Cherokee Indian Police Department SWAT team". Blue Ridge Public Radio. Archived from the original on March 3, 2023. Retrieved March 3, 2023.

[Kilander-4] ^ ^a ^b ^c ^d ^e ^f ^g ^h ⁱ ^j ^k ^l ^m ⁿ ^o ^p ^q Kilander, Gustaf (January 23, 2023). "Video shows police shooting unarmed disabled man". The Independent. Archived from the original on January 23, 2023. Retrieved January 24, 2023.

[ahogy-5] ^ ^a ^b ^c ^d ^e ^f "Videón, ahogy lelövik a rendőrök a felemelt kézzel álló férfit". RTL.hu (in Hungarian). January 23, 2023. Archived from the original on January 23, 2023. Retrieved January 24, 2023.

[Kays-6] ^ ^a ^b ^c ^d ^e ^f ^g ^h ⁱ ^j ^k ^l ^m ⁿ ^o ^p ^q ^r ^s ^t ^u Kays, Holly (February 8, 2023). "CIPD officers shoot Murphy man in SWAT response". Smoky Mountain News. Archived from the original on February 9, 2023. Retrieved February 9, 2023.

[pressrelease-7] "SWAT team members shoot man who confronted officers in Murphy, NC, sheriff says". WTVC. December 14, 2022. Archived from the original on January 24, 2023. Retrieved January 24, 2023.

[Oehrli-8] Oehrli, Ryan (March 2, 2023). "Records reveal new information in police shooting of Murphy man; charges dismissed". Asheville Citizen Times. Archived from the original on March 2, 2023.

[BurgessSues-9] Burgess, Joel (June 23, 2023). "Man shot by officers in his home, captured on security video, sues Cherokee tribal police". Asheville Citizen Times. Retrieved July 6, 2023.

[Payeton-10] Payeton, Dallas (January 24, 2023). "Video shows the moment a man was shot by the Cherokee Indian Police SWAT Team". Local 3 News. Archived from the original on January 25, 2023. Retrieved January 25, 2023.

[everyone-11] Jones, Andrew (February 14, 2023). "'Kill everyone': The 911 call that led a SWAT team to shoot a Murphy man outside his home". Asheville Citizen Times. Archived from the original on February 14, 2023. Retrieved February 14, 2023.

[KaysMillions-12] Kays, Holly (June 20, 2023). "Police shooting victim alleges attempted murder, seeks millions in damages". Smoky Mountain News. Retrieved July 6, 2023.

[Skai-13] "Η συγκλονιστική στιγμή που η αστυνομία της Β.Καρολίνας πυροβολεί έναν άνδρα με αναπηρία που ήταν άοπλος – Δείτε βίντεο". Skai Group (in Greek). January 23, 2023. Archived from the original on January 24, 2023. Retrieved January 24, 2023.

[tovima-14] "ΗΠΑ: Αστυνομικοί πυροβόλησαν εν ψυχρώ άοπλο στη Βόρεια Καρολίνα". To Vima (in Greek). January 23, 2023. Archived from the original on January 27, 2023. Retrieved January 27, 2023.

[15] "Charges dropped against man shot several times by Cherokee Indian Police SWAT Team". WLOS. March 3, 2023. Archived from the original on March 3, 2023. Retrieved March 3, 2023.

[16] Foster, Randy (March 7, 2023). "Man shot by SWAT won't face 2 charges". Cherokee Scout. Retrieved March 14, 2023.

[Kays2-17] Kays, Holly (March 15, 2023). "Charges dropped against police shooting victim". Smoky Mountain News. Retrieved March 19, 2023.

[18] Kays, Holly (April 7, 2023). "Council votes to remove police cameras from tribe's public records law". Smoky Mountain News. Retrieved July 6, 2023.

[19] Burgess, Joel (May 11, 2023). "EBCI Chief signs law making Cherokee Indian Police bodycam videos not open to public". Asheville Citizen Times. Retrieved July 6, 2023.

[20] Knoepp, Lilly (April 25, 2023). "Law enforcement declines to provide video footage from SWAT shooting of Murphy man in December". Blue Ridge Public Radio. Retrieved July 6, 2023.

[21] Burgess, Joel (April 26, 2023). "Cherokee police chief: No bodycam footage of shooting; Asheville CT made records request". Asheville Citizen Times. Archived from the original on April 28, 2023. Retrieved July 6, 2023.

[22] Putnam, Jared (January 24, 2023). "Shooting video sparks concerns". Cherokee Scout. Archived from the original on January 24, 2023. Retrieved February 3, 2023.

[KaysRecuses-23] Kays, Holly (March 29, 2023). "DA recuses herself from police shooting case". Smoky Mountain News. Retrieved April 15, 2023.

[24] "Another video set to drop in shooting". Cherokee Scout. March 28, 2023. Retrieved April 15, 2023.

[25] Oehrli, Ryan (April 10, 2023). "Murphy man shot by SWAT says cops should be in jail; DA asks Attorney General to step in". Asheville Citizen Times. Archived from the original on April 14, 2023. Retrieved April 15, 2023.

[26] Foster, Randy (March 5, 2024). "Law officers will not face criminal charges in raid". Cherokee Scout. Murphy, NC: Community Newspapers Inc. p. 1A.

[Nefzi-27] Nefzi, Samiar (June 23, 2023). "Attorney of Cherokee man shot by SWAT team says law enforcement's handling of case is 'an abomination'". WLOS. Retrieved July 8, 2023.

[28] "Cherokee County man files civil complaint after being shot by SWAT team". WLOS. June 22, 2023. Retrieved July 6, 2023.

[1]

[2]

[3]

[4]

[5]

[6]

[7]

[8]

[9]

[10]

[11]

[12]

[13]

[14]

[15]

[16]

[17]

[18]

[19]

[20]

[21]

[22]

[23]

[24]

[25]

[26]

[27]

[28]

@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
 {{Short description|2022 police shooting in North Carolina, United States}}
-<!-- Please do not remove or change this AfD message until the discussion has been closed. -->
-{{AfDM|page=Shooting of Jason Harley Kloepfer (2nd nomination)|year=2023|month=July|day=6|substed=yes|origtag=afdx|help=off}}
-<!-- End of AfD message, feel free to edit beyond this point -->
 {{Use American English|date=March 2023}}
 {{Use mdy dates|date=January 2023}}
-'''Jason Harley Kloepfer''', a 41-year-old man, was shot on December 13, 2022, by the Cherokee Indian Police [[SWAT]] Team at Kloepfer's home in [[Murphy, North Carolina]], United States.<ref name=Jones/><ref name=Kristy/> Kloepfer survived and in January 2023 released surveillance video from inside his home that showed events that differed from the initial account of the shooting given by the Cherokee County Sheriff's Office, which claimed that Kloepfer engaged in a "verbal altercation with officers" and "confronted officers".<ref name=Kristy/><ref name=Kilander/><ref name=ahogy/> The video showed that Kloepfer exited his house with his arms raised as per police's instructions, while he was holding onto a cigarette and a camera-equipped robot which police had thrown into his home; Kloepfer was shot around four seconds later, when his arms were still raised.<ref name=Kilander/><ref name=Kays/> Within hours of the shooting, Kloepfer was charged with communicating threats, as well as resist, obstruct and delay, but these charges were dropped by March 2023.<ref name=pressrelease/><ref name=Oehrli/> The police's actions are being investigated by the [[North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation]].<ref name=Jones/>
+'''Jason Harley Kloepfer''', a 41-year-old man, was shot on December 13, 2022, by the [[Eastern Band of Cherokee Indian]] Police [[SWAT]] Team at Kloepfer's home in [[Murphy, North Carolina]], United States.<ref name=Jones/><ref name=Kristy/><ref name=KnoeppDetails/> Kloepfer survived and in January 2023 released surveillance video from inside his home that showed events that differed from the initial account of the shooting given by the Cherokee County Sheriff's Office, which claimed that Kloepfer engaged in a "verbal altercation with officers" and "confronted officers".<ref name=Kristy/><ref name=Kilander/><ref name=ahogy/> The video showed that Kloepfer exited his house with his arms raised as per police's instructions, while he was holding onto a cigarette and a camera-equipped robot which police had thrown into his home; Kloepfer was shot around four seconds later, when his arms were still raised.<ref name=Kilander/><ref name=Kays/> Within hours of the shooting, Kloepfer was charged with communicating threats, as well as resist, obstruct and delay, but these charges were dropped by March 2023.<ref name=pressrelease/><ref name=Oehrli/> The police's actions are being investigated by the [[North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation]].<ref name=Jones/> Kloepfer has filed a federal lawsuit against officers from both police departments.<ref name=BurgessSues/>
 == Shooting ==
 call records showed that there were 13 calls from May 2020 to September 2022 related to Jason Harley Kloepfer's residence, with the records stating that the calls were regarding incidents including "welfare check", "assault", "disturbance" and "fireworks".<ref name=Oehrli/>
-On December 12, 2022, just before 11.20&nbsp;p.m., a person called 911, claiming to be Kloepfer's neighbor.<ref name=Payeton>{{cite news |last1=Payeton |first1=Dallas |title=Video shows the moment a man was shot by the Cherokee Indian Police SWAT Team |url=https://www.local3news.com/local-news/video-shows-the-moment-a-man-was-shot-by-the-cherokee-indian-police-swat-team/article_771fd2b4-9c38-11ed-b905-e75e47e1d545.html |access-date=January 25, 2023 |work=[[Local 3 News]] |date=January 24, 2023 |archive-date=January 25, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230125015805/https://www.local3news.com/local-news/video-shows-the-moment-a-man-was-shot-by-the-cherokee-indian-police-swat-team/article_771fd2b4-9c38-11ed-b905-e75e47e1d545.html |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name=Kays>{{cite news |last1=Kays |first1=Holly |title=CIPD officers shoot Murphy man in SWAT response |url=https://smokymountainnews.com/news/item/35095-cipd-officers-shoot-murphy-man-in-swat-response |access-date=February 9, 2023 |work=[[Smoky Mountain News]] |date=February 8, 2023 |archive-date=February 9, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230209121245/https://smokymountainnews.com/news/item/35095-cipd-officers-shoot-murphy-man-in-swat-response |url-status=live }}</ref> The caller indicated that Kloepfer "about an hour ago, started shooting off fireworks, screaming, yelling, going to kill everyone in the neighborhood ... he's discharging a firearm ... They've been over there screaming, yelling and fighting for the last 45 minutes".<ref name=Payeton/> The caller then said: "I just heard his wife screaming 'stop it,' and then a bunch of shots went off and now I can’t hear her over there at all."<ref name=Kays/> The caller then quotes his neighbor as saying: "Send the police, I'll get them too."<ref name=everyone>{{cite news |last1=Jones |first1=Andrew |title='Kill everyone': The 911 call that led a SWAT team to shoot a Murphy man outside his home |url=https://www.citizen-times.com/story/news/local/2023/02/14/911-call-leading-to-murphy-mans-police-shooting-alleges-death-threats/69898617007/ |access-date=February 14, 2023 |work=[[Asheville Citizen Times]] |date=February 14, 2023 |archive-url=https://archive.is/gvGxC |archive-date=February 14, 2023}}</ref>
+On December 12, 2022, just before 11.20&nbsp;p.m., a person called 911, claiming to be Kloepfer's neighbor.<ref name=Payeton>{{cite news |last1=Payeton |first1=Dallas |title=Video shows the moment a man was shot by the Cherokee Indian Police SWAT Team |url=https://www.local3news.com/local-news/video-shows-the-moment-a-man-was-shot-by-the-cherokee-indian-police-swat-team/article_771fd2b4-9c38-11ed-b905-e75e47e1d545.html |access-date=January 25, 2023 |work=[[Local 3 News]] |date=January 24, 2023 |archive-date=January 25, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230125015805/https://www.local3news.com/local-news/video-shows-the-moment-a-man-was-shot-by-the-cherokee-indian-police-swat-team/article_771fd2b4-9c38-11ed-b905-e75e47e1d545.html |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name=Kays>{{cite news |last1=Kays |first1=Holly |title=CIPD officers shoot Murphy man in SWAT response |url=https://smokymountainnews.com/news/item/35095-cipd-officers-shoot-murphy-man-in-swat-response |access-date=February 9, 2023 |work=[[Smoky Mountain News]] |date=February 8, 2023 |archive-date=February 9, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230209121245/https://smokymountainnews.com/news/item/35095-cipd-officers-shoot-murphy-man-in-swat-response |url-status=live }}</ref> The caller indicated that Kloepfer "about an hour ago, started shooting off fireworks, screaming, yelling, going to kill everyone in the neighborhood ... he's discharging a firearm ... They've been over there screaming, yelling and fighting for the last 45 minutes".<ref name=Payeton/> The caller then said: "I just heard his wife screaming 'stop it,' and then a bunch of shots went off and now I can’t hear her over there at all."<ref name=Kays/> The caller then quotes his neighbor as saying: "Send the police, I'll get them too."<ref name=everyone>{{cite news |last1=Jones |first1=Andrew |title='Kill everyone': The 911 call that led a SWAT team to shoot a Murphy man outside his home |url=https://www.citizen-times.com/story/news/local/2023/02/14/911-call-leading-to-murphy-mans-police-shooting-alleges-death-threats/69898617007/ |access-date=February 14, 2023 |work=[[Asheville Citizen Times]] |date=February 14, 2023 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20230214141530/https://www.citizen-times.com/story/news/local/2023/02/14/911-call-leading-to-murphy-mans-police-shooting-alleges-death-threats/69898617007/ |archive-date=February 14, 2023}}</ref>
-Around 11.20&nbsp;p.m. on December 12, three Cherokee County deputies arrived at Kloepfer's home, and are heard saying: "We haven’t been able to make contact with anybody at this residence ... There's a detached garage with music blaring in the garage. We can’t get anybody to come to the door at the garage either."<ref name=Kays/> The officers referenced seeing a bullet and security cameras at Kloepfer's home.<ref name=Oehrli/> The SWAT team of the Eastern Band of the Cherokee Indian Police Department was summoned around 12.20&nbsp;a.m. on December 13 to handle a potential hostage situation.<ref name=ahogy/><ref name=Kays/><ref>{{cite news |last1=Knoepp |first1=Lilly |title=New details emerge about shooting by Cherokee Indian Police Department SWAT team |url=https://www.bpr.org/bpr-news/2023-02-27/new-details-emerge-about-shooting-by-cherokee-indian-police-department-swat-team |access-date=March 3, 2023 |work=[[Blue Ridge Public Radio]] |date=February 28, 2023 |archive-date=March 3, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230303232539/https://www.bpr.org/bpr-news/2023-02-27/new-details-emerge-about-shooting-by-cherokee-indian-police-department-swat-team |url-status=live }}</ref>  A search warrant for Kloepfer's home was approved around 2.15&nbsp;a.m.<ref name=Kays/><ref name=pressrelease>{{cite news |title=SWAT team members shoot man who confronted officers in Murphy, NC, sheriff says |url=https://foxchattanooga.com/news/local/swat-team-members-shoot-man-who-confronted-officers-in-murphy-nc-sheriff-says-cherokee-bear-paw-road-jason-harley-kloepfer |access-date=January 24, 2023 |work=[[WTVC]] |date=December 14, 2022 |archive-date=January 24, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230124112134/https://foxchattanooga.com/news/local/swat-team-members-shoot-man-who-confronted-officers-in-murphy-nc-sheriff-says-cherokee-bear-paw-road-jason-harley-kloepfer |url-status=live }}</ref>
+Around 11.20&nbsp;p.m. on December 12, three Cherokee County deputies arrived at Kloepfer's home, and are heard saying: "We haven’t been able to make contact with anybody at this residence ... There's a detached garage with music blaring in the garage. We can’t get anybody to come to the door at the garage either."<ref name=Kays/> The officers referenced seeing a bullet and security cameras at Kloepfer's home.<ref name=Oehrli/> The SWAT team of the Eastern Band of the Cherokee Indian Police Department was summoned around 12.20&nbsp;a.m. on December 13 to handle a potential hostage situation.<ref name=ahogy/><ref name=Kays/><ref name=KnoeppDetails>{{cite news |last1=Knoepp |first1=Lilly |title=New details emerge about shooting by Cherokee Indian Police Department SWAT team |url=https://www.bpr.org/bpr-news/2023-02-27/new-details-emerge-about-shooting-by-cherokee-indian-police-department-swat-team |access-date=March 3, 2023 |work=[[Blue Ridge Public Radio]] |date=February 28, 2023 |archive-date=March 3, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230303232539/https://www.bpr.org/bpr-news/2023-02-27/new-details-emerge-about-shooting-by-cherokee-indian-police-department-swat-team |url-status=live }}</ref> A search warrant for Kloepfer's home was approved around 2.15&nbsp;a.m.<ref name=Kays/><ref name=pressrelease>{{cite news |title=SWAT team members shoot man who confronted officers in Murphy, NC, sheriff says |url=https://foxchattanooga.com/news/local/swat-team-members-shoot-man-who-confronted-officers-in-murphy-nc-sheriff-says-cherokee-bear-paw-road-jason-harley-kloepfer |access-date=January 24, 2023 |work=[[WTVC]] |date=December 14, 2022 |archive-date=January 24, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230124112134/https://foxchattanooga.com/news/local/swat-team-members-shoot-man-who-confronted-officers-in-murphy-nc-sheriff-says-cherokee-bear-paw-road-jason-harley-kloepfer |url-status=live }}</ref> According to Kloepfer's later lawsuit, just before 2&nbsp;a.m. of the night of the incident, an officer visited the neighbor to view her video of the complained behaviour; the lawsuit alleges that the video's only clear dialogue was a woman’s voice saying "stop" four times, but the video did not discernably show Kloepfer, his wife, or gunfire.<ref name=KaysMillions/>
-After the Cherokee Indian Police Department's SWAT Team arrived at Kloepfer's home, surveillance footage from the inside of Kloepfer's house, starting at 4.54&nbsp;a.m. on December 13, showed police throwing a robot with a light and cameras into Kloepfer's home.<ref name=Kilander>{{cite news |last1=Kilander |first1=Gustaf |title=Video shows police shooting unarmed disabled man |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/police-shooting-jason-kloepfer-carolina-b2267651.html |access-date=January 24, 2023 |work=[[The Independent]] |date=January 23, 2023 |archive-date=January 23, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230123212747/https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/police-shooting-jason-kloepfer-carolina-b2267651.html |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name=ahogy/><ref name=Payeton/><ref name=Kays/> The robot starts to shine a light around the home; two minutes later, a light is shone into Kloepfer's bedroom, and this appears to wake Kloepfer and his wife, who says: "What’s going on?"<ref name=Kilander/><ref name=Kays/> Both call out: "Hello?"<ref name=Kays/> A police officer says through a loudspeaker: "Jason ... Step outside ... Come outside, Jason ... Step outside the door onto the deck and show us your hands. Jason, we just want to talk to you. Come outside."<ref name=Jones>{{cite news |last1=Jones |first1=Andrew |title=Murphy man shot by police, caught on camera, out of hospital; SBI investigating |url=https://www.citizen-times.com/story/news/local/2023/02/01/wnc-man-shot-cherokee-swat-team-out-of-hospital-sbi-investigating/69859982007/ |access-date=February 3, 2023 |work=[[Asheville Citizen Times]] |date=February 1, 2023 |archive-date=February 14, 2023 |archive-url=https://archive.is/fJDAk}}</ref><ref name=Kilander/><ref name=Kays/> While the officer is speaking, Kloepfer picks up the police's robot.<ref name=Kays/>
+After the Cherokee Indian Police Department's SWAT Team arrived at Kloepfer's home, surveillance footage from the inside of Kloepfer's house, starting at 4.54&nbsp;a.m. on December 13, showed police throwing a robot with a light and cameras into Kloepfer's home.<ref name=Kilander>{{cite news |last1=Kilander |first1=Gustaf |title=Video shows police shooting unarmed disabled man |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/police-shooting-jason-kloepfer-carolina-b2267651.html |access-date=January 24, 2023 |work=[[The Independent]] |date=January 23, 2023 |archive-date=January 23, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230123212747/https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/police-shooting-jason-kloepfer-carolina-b2267651.html |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name=ahogy/><ref name=Payeton/><ref name=Kays/> The robot starts to shine a light around the home; two minutes later, a light is shone into Kloepfer's bedroom, and this appears to wake Kloepfer and his wife, who says: "What’s going on?"<ref name=Kilander/><ref name=Kays/> Both call out: "Hello?"<ref name=Kays/> A police officer says through a loudspeaker: "Jason ... Step outside ... Come outside, Jason ... Step outside the door onto the deck and show us your hands. Jason, we just want to talk to you. Come outside."<ref name=Jones>{{cite news |last1=Jones |first1=Andrew |title=Murphy man shot by police, caught on camera, out of hospital; SBI investigating |url=https://www.citizen-times.com/story/news/local/2023/02/01/wnc-man-shot-cherokee-swat-team-out-of-hospital-sbi-investigating/69859982007/ |access-date=February 3, 2023 |work=[[Asheville Citizen Times]] |date=February 1, 2023 |archive-date=February 14, 2023 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20230214144310/https://www.citizen-times.com/story/news/local/2023/02/01/wnc-man-shot-cherokee-swat-team-out-of-hospital-sbi-investigating/69859982007/}}</ref><ref name=Kilander/><ref name=Kays/> While the officer is speaking, Kloepfer picks up the police's robot.<ref name=Kays/>
 At 4.57&nbsp;a.m. and 16 seconds, Kloepfer opens the door to his home, unarmed and with his hands in the air; he is holding a cigarette and the police's robot.<ref name=Kilander/><ref name=Kays/> Behind Kloepfer is his wife, whose hands are also in the air.<ref name=Skai>{{cite news |title=Η συγκλονιστική στιγμή που η αστυνομία της Β.Καρολίνας πυροβολεί έναν άνδρα με αναπηρία που ήταν άοπλος – Δείτε βίντεο |url=https://www.skai.gr/news/world/vinteo-astynomia-pyrovolei-andra-me-anapiria-stin-voreia-karolina |access-date=January 24, 2023 |work=[[Skai Group]] |date=January 23, 2023 |language=Greek |archive-date=January 24, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230124065245/https://www.skai.gr/news/world/vinteo-astynomia-pyrovolei-andra-me-anapiria-stin-voreia-karolina |url-status=live }}</ref> Officers shout for Kloepfer to hold up his hands; at 4.57&nbsp;a.m. and 20 seconds, Kloepfer is shot multiple times while he was holding up his hands.<ref name=Kilander/><ref name=Kays/> He fell to the floor, crying out: "I’m shot!"<ref name=Kristy>{{cite news |last1=Kepley-Steward |first1=Kristy |title=Murphy man shot by police releases surveillance video from night of the shooting |url=https://wlos.com/news/local/cherokee-county-murphy-jason-harley-kloepfer-swat-man-shot-police-releases-surveillance-video-shooting-facebook-indian-police-department-sheriff |access-date=January 24, 2023 |work=[[WLOS]] |date=January 24, 2023 |archive-date=January 23, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230123181523/https://wlos.com/news/local/cherokee-county-murphy-jason-harley-kloepfer-swat-man-shot-police-releases-surveillance-video-shooting-facebook-indian-police-department-sheriff |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name=Skai/> The police continued shooting even after Kloepfer had fallen to the floor.<ref name=ahogy/>
@@ Line 29: / Line 27: @@
 The press release went on to say that the Cherokee Indian Police SWAT Team shot Kloepfer after Kloepfer "engaged in a verbal altercation with officers and emerged from a camper trailer and confronted officers".<ref name=Jones/><ref name=Kristy/>
-The press release stated that Kloepfer received two charges, the first being communicating threats, the second being resist, obstruct and delay, and that more charges were possible, according to the press release.<ref name=pressrelease/> Kloepfer was scheduled to appear in court on March 9.<ref name=Kristy/> By March 1, the charges against Kloepfer had been dropped.<ref name=Oehrli>{{cite news |last1=Oehrli |first1=Ryan |title=Records reveal new information in police shooting of Murphy man; charges dismissed |url=https://www.citizen-times.com/story/news/local/2023/03/02/records-reveal-new-information-in-police-shooting-of-murphy-man/69960455007/ |work=[[Asheville Citizen Times]] |date=March 2, 2023 |archive-url=https://archive.is/Gxvu4 |archive-date=March 2, 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://wlos.com/news/local/charges-dropped-against-man-jason-kloepfer-shot-several-times-by-cherokee-indian-police-swat-team |title=Charges dropped against man shot several times by Cherokee Indian Police SWAT Team |date=March 3, 2023 |website=[[WLOS]] |accessdate=March 3, 2023 |archive-date=March 3, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230303032606/https://wlos.com/news/local/charges-dropped-against-man-jason-kloepfer-shot-several-times-by-cherokee-indian-police-swat-team |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Foster |first1=Randy |title= Man shot by SWAT won’t face 2 charges |url=https://www.cherokeescout.com/local-newsletter/man-shot-swat-wont-face-2-charges |access-date=March 14, 2023 |work=[[Cherokee Scout]] |date=March 7, 2023}}</ref> According to the local dismissal document, the charge of making threats was dropped "at the request of the prosecuting witness", while the charge of resisting orders was dropped as "the charging document does not list the type of orders given and under what circumstances that this would be a duty of their office".<ref name=Kays2>{{cite news |last1=Kays |first1=Holly |title=Charges dropped against police shooting victim |url=https://smokymountainnews.com/news/item/35276-charges-dropped-against-police-shooting-victim |access-date=March 19, 2023 |work=[[Smoky Mountain News]] |date=March 15, 2023}}</ref>
+The press release stated that Kloepfer received two charges, the first being communicating threats, the second being resist, obstruct and delay, and that more charges were possible, according to the press release.<ref name=pressrelease/> Kloepfer was scheduled to appear in court on March 9.<ref name=Kristy/> By March 1, the charges against Kloepfer had been dropped.<ref name=Oehrli>{{cite news |last1=Oehrli |first1=Ryan |title=Records reveal new information in police shooting of Murphy man; charges dismissed |url=https://www.citizen-times.com/story/news/local/2023/03/02/records-reveal-new-information-in-police-shooting-of-murphy-man/69960455007/ |work=[[Asheville Citizen Times]] |date=March 2, 2023 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20230302191125/https://www.citizen-times.com/story/news/local/2023/03/02/records-reveal-new-information-in-police-shooting-of-murphy-man/69960455007/ |archive-date=March 2, 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://wlos.com/news/local/charges-dropped-against-man-jason-kloepfer-shot-several-times-by-cherokee-indian-police-swat-team |title=Charges dropped against man shot several times by Cherokee Indian Police SWAT Team |date=March 3, 2023 |website=[[WLOS]] |accessdate=March 3, 2023 |archive-date=March 3, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230303032606/https://wlos.com/news/local/charges-dropped-against-man-jason-kloepfer-shot-several-times-by-cherokee-indian-police-swat-team |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Foster |first1=Randy |title= Man shot by SWAT won't face 2 charges |url=https://www.cherokeescout.com/local-newsletter/man-shot-swat-wont-face-2-charges |access-date=March 14, 2023 |work=[[Cherokee Scout]] |date=March 7, 2023}}</ref> According to the local dismissal document, the charge of making threats was dropped "at the request of the prosecuting witness", while the charge of resisting orders was dropped as "the charging document does not list the type of orders given and under what circumstances that this would be a duty of their office".<ref name=Kays2>{{cite news |last1=Kays |first1=Holly |title=Charges dropped against police shooting victim |url=https://smokymountainnews.com/news/item/35276-charges-dropped-against-police-shooting-victim |access-date=March 19, 2023 |work=[[Smoky Mountain News]] |date=March 15, 2023}}</ref>
-After media outlets requested police footage of the shooting, the Cherokee County Sheriff's Office refused to provide body camera footage, while Cherokee Indian Police Department Chief Carla Neadeau on April 24, 2023 responded: "The Tribe does not have any video or audio recordings responsive to your request."<ref>{{cite news |last1=Knoepp |first1=Lilly |title=Law enforcement declines to provide video footage from SWAT shooting of Murphy man in December |url=https://www.bpr.org/bpr-news/2023-04-25/law-enforcement-declines-to-provide-video-footage-from-swat-shooting-of-murphy-man-in-december |access-date=July 6, 2023 |work=[[Blue Ridge Public Radio]] |date=April 25, 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Burgess |first1=Joel |title=Cherokee police chief: No bodycam footage of shooting; Asheville CT made records request |url=https://www.citizen-times.com/story/news/2023/04/26/cherokee-police-no-bodycam-of-shooting-asheville-ct-requested-videos/70150954007/ |archive-date=April 28, 2023 |access-date=July 6, 2023 |work=[[Asheville Citizen-Times]] |date=April 26, 2023 |archive-url=https://archive.is/nS2OB}}</ref> A day later, the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians Chief approved a law that stripped Cherokee Indian Police videos of public record status, meaning that court action would be needed before they could be published.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Burgess |first1=Joel |title=EBCI Chief signs law making Cherokee Indian Police bodycam videos not open to public |access-date=July 6, 2023 |work=[[Asheville Citizen Times]] |date=May 11, 2023}}</ref>
+The Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians Tribal Council in March 2023 tabled, and on April 6, 2023, approved a request from Cherokee Indian Police Department Chief Carla Neadeau to strip Cherokee Indian Police car and body camera videos of public record status.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Kays |first1=Holly |title=Council votes to remove police cameras from tribe's public records law |url=https://smokymountainnews.com/archives/item/35440-council-votes-to-remove-police-cameras-from-tribe-s-public-records-law |access-date=July 6, 2023 |work=[[Smoky Mountain News]] |date=April 7, 2023}}</ref> On April 25, 2023, the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians Chief Richard Sneed signed the proposed change into law, meaning that court action would be needed before such footage could be published.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Burgess |first1=Joel |title=EBCI Chief signs law making Cherokee Indian Police bodycam videos not open to public |access-date=July 6, 2023 |url=https://www.citizen-times.com/story/news/2023/05/11/chief-signs-law-cherokee-indian-police-videos-not-public/70205231007/ |work=[[Asheville Citizen Times]] |date=May 11, 2023}}</ref>
+After media outlets requested police footage of the shooting, the Cherokee County Sheriff's Office refused to provide body camera footage, while Cherokee Indian Police Department Chief Carla Neadeau on April 24, 2023 responded: "The Tribe does not have any video or audio recordings responsive to your request."<ref>{{cite news |last1=Knoepp |first1=Lilly |title=Law enforcement declines to provide video footage from SWAT shooting of Murphy man in December |url=https://www.bpr.org/bpr-news/2023-04-25/law-enforcement-declines-to-provide-video-footage-from-swat-shooting-of-murphy-man-in-december |access-date=July 6, 2023 |work=[[Blue Ridge Public Radio]] |date=April 25, 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Burgess |first1=Joel |title=Cherokee police chief: No bodycam footage of shooting; Asheville CT made records request |url=https://www.citizen-times.com/story/news/2023/04/26/cherokee-police-no-bodycam-of-shooting-asheville-ct-requested-videos/70150954007/ |archive-date=April 28, 2023 |access-date=July 6, 2023 |work=[[Asheville Citizen Times]] |date=April 26, 2023 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20230428204242/https://www.citizen-times.com/story/news/2023/04/26/cherokee-police-no-bodycam-of-shooting-asheville-ct-requested-videos/70150954007/}}</ref>
 === Kloepfer's release of surveillance footage ===
 [[WLOS]] reported in January 2023 that surveillance footage, published by Kloepfer, showing the inside of Kloepfer's house, "appears to show a conflicting account of the event" when compared to the Cherokee County Sheriff's Office's press release.<ref name=Kristy/> The ''[[Cherokee Scout]]'' agrees that "key details" of the press release seem to be contradicted.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Putnam |first1=Jared |title=Shooting video sparks concerns |url=https://www.cherokeescout.com/local-newsletter/shooting-video-sparks-concerns |access-date=February 3, 2023 |work=[[Cherokee Scout]] |date=January 24, 2023 |archive-date=January 24, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230124191651/https://www.cherokeescout.com/local-newsletter/shooting-video-sparks-concerns |url-status=live }}</ref> [[RTL.hu]] reported that the surveillance footage showed Kloepfer obeying police commands, in contrast to the press release's claim that Kloepfer confronted police.<ref name=ahogy>{{cite news |title=Videón, ahogy lelövik a rendőrök a felemelt kézzel álló férfit |url=https://rtl.hu/kulfold/2023/01/23/videon-ahogy-lelovik-a-rendorok-a-felemelt-kezzel-allo-ferfit |access-date=January 24, 2023 |work=[[RTL.hu]] |date=January 23, 2023 |language=Hungarian |archive-date=January 23, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230123204319/https://rtl.hu/kulfold/2023/01/23/videon-ahogy-lelovik-a-rendorok-a-felemelt-kezzel-allo-ferfit |url-status=live }}</ref> [[Skai Group]] agreed that Kloepfer was shot despite appearing to have complied with police orders.<ref name=Skai/> ''[[The Independent]]'' reported that the surveillance footage did not show Kloepfer engaging in a "verbal altercation" or confronting police, as claimed in the press release.<ref name=Kilander/>
-Cherokee County Sheriff Dustin Smith later stated that the press release was published without him having personal knowledge of what had happened, and the press release "relied on information provided to us from the Cherokee Indian Police Department".<ref name=Kilander/><ref name=everyone/> However, ''[[Smoky Mountain News]]'' reported that multiple Cherokee County deputies and investigators were at the scene during the shooting.<ref name=Kays/> Smith also stated that the aim of the press release "was not to comment on the subsequent criminal investigation, which remains ongoing, but rather to update the public on a dangerous situation."<ref name=Kilander/><ref name=everyone/> Smith added that he did not see video of the shooting until January 18, 2023.<ref name=Jones/><ref name=everyone/> Smith used the post to advocate for the creation for a SWAT team for Cherokee County.<ref name=Kays/>
+Cherokee County Sheriff Dustin Smith later stated that the press release was published without him having personal knowledge of what had happened, and the press release "relied on information provided to us from the Cherokee Indian Police Department".<ref name=Kilander/><ref name=everyone/> However, ''[[Smoky Mountain News]]'' reported that multiple Cherokee County deputies and investigators were at the scene during the shooting,<ref name=Kays/> and also reported that while Sheriff Smith was initially at his office that night, a later radio call after the shooting sees another officer telling Smith that a tribal police unit is "wanting to follow you back to" the sheriff's office, where "they could unwind a little bit", to which Smith responds: "I'll take care of it."<ref name=KaysRecuses/> A lawsuit by Kloepfer alleges that Sheriff Smith was on the scene at the time of the shooting.<ref name=KaysMillions/>
+Sheriff Smith also stated that the aim of the press release "was not to comment on the subsequent criminal investigation, which remains ongoing, but rather to update the public on a dangerous situation."<ref name=Kilander/><ref name=everyone/> Smith added that he did not see video of the shooting until January 18, 2023.<ref name=Jones/><ref name=everyone/> Smith used the post to advocate for the creation for a SWAT team for Cherokee County.<ref name=Kays/>
 In March 2023, Kloepfer's lawyer said that Kloepfer had even more video footage of the incident.<ref>{{cite news |title=Another video set to drop in shooting |url=https://www.cherokeescout.com/local-newsletter/another-video-set-drop-shooting |access-date=April 15, 2023 |work=[[Cherokee Scout]] |date=March 28, 2023}}</ref>
@@ Line 46: / Line 48: @@
 ===Investigation into law enforcement===
-The [[North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation]] in December 2022 started an investigation into the shooting.<ref name=Jones/> The bureau does not make its investigation results public, but sends them to a [[district attorney]], who will decide whether to file charges against any officers.<ref name=Kays/>
+The [[North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation]] in December 2022 started an investigation into the shooting.<ref name=Jones/> The investigation continued past June 2023.<ref name=BurgessSues>{{cite news |last1=Burgess |first1=Joel |title=Man shot by officers in his home, captured on security video, sues Cherokee tribal police |url=https://www.citizen-times.com/story/news/2023/06/23/cherokee-tribal-police-man-shot-officers-security-video-sues/70350589007/ |access-date=July 6, 2023 |work=[[Asheville Citizen Times]] |date=June 23, 2023}}</ref> The bureau does not make its investigation results public, but sends them to a [[district attorney]], who will decide whether to file charges against any officers.<ref name=Kays/>
-However, on March 27, 2023, the Cherokee County District Attorney, Ashley Welch, sought to recuse from the case, citing that she and an assistant district attorney may be witnesses for the investigation, as they were contacted by a Cherokee County Sheriff's Office deputy hours after the shooting. As the "allegations in this case involve potential crimes committed by a government official", Welch requested the Office of the [[North Carolina Attorney General]] ([[Josh Stein]]) to step in.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Kays |first1=Holly |title=DA recuses herself from police shooting case |url=https://smokymountainnews.com/archives/item/35388-da-recuses-herself-from-police-shooting-case |access-date=April 15, 2023 |work=[[Smoky Mountain News]] |date=March 29, 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Oehrli |first1=Ryan |title=Murphy man shot by SWAT says cops should be in jail; DA asks Attorney General to step in |url=https://www.citizen-times.com/story/news/local/2023/04/10/murphy-man-shot-by-cherokee-swat-says-cops-should-be-in-jail/70089431007/ |access-date=April 15, 2023 |work=[[Asheville Citizen Times]] |date=April 10, 2023 |archive-url=https://archive.is/Uia13 |archive-date=April 14, 2023}}</ref>
+However, on March 27, 2023, the Cherokee County District Attorney, Ashley Welch, sought to recuse from the case, citing that she and an assistant district attorney may be witnesses for the investigation, as they were contacted by a Cherokee County Sheriff's Office deputy hours after the shooting. As the "allegations in this case involve potential crimes committed by a government official", Welch requested the Office of the [[North Carolina Attorney General]] ([[Josh Stein]]) to step in.<ref name=KaysRecuses>{{cite news |last1=Kays |first1=Holly |title=DA recuses herself from police shooting case |url=https://smokymountainnews.com/archives/item/35388-da-recuses-herself-from-police-shooting-case |access-date=April 15, 2023 |work=[[Smoky Mountain News]] |date=March 29, 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Oehrli |first1=Ryan |title=Murphy man shot by SWAT says cops should be in jail; DA asks Attorney General to step in |url=https://www.citizen-times.com/story/news/local/2023/04/10/murphy-man-shot-by-cherokee-swat-says-cops-should-be-in-jail/70089431007/ |access-date=April 15, 2023 |work=[[Asheville Citizen Times]] |date=April 10, 2023 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20230414195007/https://www.citizen-times.com/story/news/local/2023/04/10/murphy-man-shot-by-cherokee-swat-says-cops-should-be-in-jail/70089431007/ |archive-date=April 14, 2023}}</ref>
+On December 18, 2023, a special prosecutor decided that law officers involved in the raid would not face criminal prosecution.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Foster |first=Randy |date=2024-03-05 |title=Law officers will not face criminal charges in raid |url=https://www.cherokeescout.com/local-newsletter/law-officers-will-not-face-criminal-charges-raid |work=[[Cherokee Scout]] |publisher=[[Community Newspapers Inc.]] |location=Murphy, NC |page=1A}}</ref>
 ===Lawsuit===
-Kloepfer in June 2023 filed a federal lawsuit in the [[United States District Court for the Western District of North Carolina]] against members of the Cherokee County Sheriff’s Department and Cherokee Indian Police Department, amongst others.<ref>{{cite news |title=Police shooting victim alleges attempted murder, seeks millions in damages |last1=Kays |first1=Holly |url=https://smokymountainnews.com/news/item/35829-police-shooting-victim-alleges-attempted-murder-seeks-millions-in-damages |access-date=July 6, 2023 |work=[[Smoky Mountain News]] |date=June 20, 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Nefzi |first1=Samiar |title=Attorney of Cherokee man shot by SWAT team says law enforcement's handling of case is 'an abomination' |url=https://foxchattanooga.com/news/local/attorney-representing-cherokee-man-shot-by-swat-team-jason-kloepfer-shooting-sheriffs-office-abomination-alleged-lies-cover-up |access-date=July 6, 2023 |date=June 23, 2023 |work=[[WTVC]]}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Cherokee County man files civil complaint after being shot by SWAT team |url=https://wlos.com/news/local/cherokee-county-jason-harley-kloepfer-sheriffs-office-indian-police-swat-team-shooting-civil-complaint-filed-western-north-carolina |access-date=July 6, 2023 |work=[[WLOS]] |date=June 22, 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Burgess |first1=Joel |title=Man shot by officers in his home, captured on security video, sues Cherokee tribal police |url=https://www.citizen-times.com/story/news/2023/06/23/cherokee-tribal-police-man-shot-officers-security-video-sues/70350589007/ |access-date=July 6, 2023 |work=[[Asheville Citizen Times]] |date=June 23, 2023}}</ref>
+Kloepfer in June 2023 filed a federal lawsuit in the [[United States District Court for the Western District of North Carolina]] against members of the Cherokee County Sheriff’s Department and the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indian Police Department, amongst others.<ref name=BurgessSues/><ref name=KaysMillions>{{cite news |title=Police shooting victim alleges attempted murder, seeks millions in damages |last1=Kays |first1=Holly |url=https://smokymountainnews.com/news/item/35829-police-shooting-victim-alleges-attempted-murder-seeks-millions-in-damages |access-date=July 6, 2023 |work=[[Smoky Mountain News]] |date=June 20, 2023}}</ref><ref name=Nefzi>{{cite news |last1=Nefzi |first1=Samiar |title=Attorney of Cherokee man shot by SWAT team says law enforcement's handling of case is 'an abomination' |url= https://wlos.com/news/local/attorney-representing-cherokee-man-shot-by-swat-team-jason-kloepfer-shooting-sheriffs-office-abomination-alleged-lies-cover-up |access-date=July 8, 2023 |date=June 23, 2023 |work=[[WLOS]]}}</ref> Kloepfer's lawsuit alleges 25 counts of action, including [[excessive use of force]], trespassing, gross negligence, and making false reports.<ref name=KaysMillions/><ref name=Nefzi/><ref>{{cite news |title=Cherokee County man files civil complaint after being shot by SWAT team |url=https://wlos.com/news/local/cherokee-county-jason-harley-kloepfer-sheriffs-office-indian-police-swat-team-shooting-civil-complaint-filed-western-north-carolina |access-date=July 6, 2023 |work=[[WLOS]] |date=June 22, 2023}}</ref>
 == References ==
@@ Line 65: / Line 69: @@
 * Press release on January 20, 2023 [https://facebook.com/story.php/?story_fbid=544466674378455&id=100064453819587] by the Cherokee County Sheriff's Office on Facebook
+* Federal lawsuit   [https://bloximages.newyork1.vip.townnews.com/local3news.com/content/tncms/assets/v3/editorial/1/a8/1a8a9fc2-10ee-11ee-bdcb-bf2fc2ebb8ee/64942d759bbd5.pdf.pdf complaint and jury trial demand - June 20, 2023] by Jason H. Kloepfer<!-- https://web.archive.org/web/20230706125419/https://bloximages.newyork1.vip.townnews.com/local3news.com/content/tncms/assets/v3/editorial/1/a8/1a8a9fc2-10ee-11ee-bdcb-bf2fc2ebb8ee/64942d759bbd5.pdf.pdf -->
+{{DEFAULTSORT:Kloepfer, Jason Harley}}
 [[Category:2022 in North Carolina]]
 [[Category:2022 controversies in the United States]]