The trial of a Grand Rapids police officer who says he accidently fired his weapon at a suspect began Thursday
Grand Rapids Police Officer Greg Bauer is charged with careless discharge of a firearm causing property damage.
The incident in question took place on Dec. 9th in Grand Rapids, after several police officers including Bauer had been following a vehicle driven by Daevionne Smith. The car matched a description of a vehicle that had been stolen and used in a shooting earlier that day.
Smith stopped by his father’s house and went inside, as police set up a perimeter around the residence; when Smith exited, police moved in. As they did, Bauer says he stumbled, which caused him to pull the trigger of his service firearm by accident.
The following audio of the incident is taken from Bauer’s body worn camera…
Bauer: “That was me, that was me! “
Smith: “Why did you shoot sir?”
Bauer: “I tripped.” “Let em know it was me! (Explicative) Hands behind your back!”
Smith: “Yes sir.”
Police later determined that Daevionne Smith’s car was not the stolen car that police had been looking for, and he has been cleared of any wrongdoing.
If found guilty of the misdemeanor charges, Bauer faces a maximum of 90 days in jail and a fine of $100.
Meanwhile, Smith has filed a lawsuit against the Grand Rapids Police Department, the City of Grand Rapids and Bauer for $7.5 million, saying that the incident has led to “mental and physical anguish, loss of enjoyment, and post-traumatic stress.”
