DA finds officer justified fatal shooting of veteran at Atlanta VA hospital

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DEKALB COUNTY, GA. – DeKalb County Prosecutor Sherry Boston announced her decision not to charge the officer involved in the Jan. 29 fatal shooting of John Robert Smith Jr., 58, at the Atlanta VA Medical Center on Clairmont Road.

The Boston office says it concluded, after a thorough investigation, that the officer acted lawfully in using force against Smith.

“Mr. Smith’s death is a painful reminder of the struggles our veterans face, even long after their service has officially ended,” Boston said. “We mourn with his family and offer them our deepest condolences.”

Boston says she and her team met with Smith’s family earlier this week to explain the details of the case, including showing them footage from the officer’s body-worn camera during the incident .

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According to the investigation, Smith went to the hospital that night expressing intentions to harm himself or others. Medical staff and a VA social worker began the intake process when Smith retrieved a knife from his belongings.

VA Police officers were called for assistance and body camera footage showed several officers attempting to deescalate the situation, pleading with Smith to drop the gun. At one point, Smith apparently followed a hospital employee into a closed room and walked toward him with the knife.

Fearing for the employee’s life, a police officer shot Smith, striking him. Despite immediate medical assistance from officers and hospital staff, Smith succumbed to his injuries. Smith was reportedly shot more than a dozen times.

The Boston office concluded that the officer’s actions were justified under the law, and the case was dismissed without any criminal charges.