In a recent development, a Lauderdale County grand jury has decided not to indict a Florence officer involved in a shooting incident back in April. The decision, known as a “no bill,” was reached after the jury determined that the evidence against the officer was insufficient to warrant a trial, resulting in no charges being filed.
The incident in question took place on April 1st when officers were attempting to serve a felony out-of-state warrant. Bart James Barcelou, the individual at the center of the shooting, was shot in the backyard of a residence on North Walnut Street. Barcelou was reportedly armed with two knives, one in each hand, during the confrontation. Prior to the shooting, officers had tried to use a less lethal taser option to subdue Barcelou.
It was revealed that Barcelou was wanted in Utah on three counts of first-degree rape, shedding light on the seriousness of the situation that officers were facing. Despite the tragic outcome of the incident, the grand jury ultimately determined that the officer’s actions did not meet the threshold for criminal charges to be brought against them.