Officer(s) Involved: Former Clayton County, Georgia, Sheriff Victor Hill.
Synopsis: On 3 May 2015, Sheriff Hill claimed he was practicing police tactics and techniques in a vacant model home on Britt Trail Drive outside Lawrenceville with Gwenevere McCord. McCord was working as a real estate agent at the time.
At some point, Hill’s gun was substituted for the practice gun they had been using. Hill reportedly inadvertently drew his gun and shot McCord in the stomach. Hill called 911 to report the incident.
McCord, 43, told authorities the shooting was an accident. According to Gwinnett District Attorney Danny Porter, the position of McCord’s body and the location of the weapons found at the model home did not match what police found.
Despite being allowed to leave the scene, Hill refused to provide any statements to the police. This lack of cooperation was noted by Porter and other officials. Hill’s refusal to make a statement was defended by some as his right under the law, but it was criticized by others as uncooperative and embarrassing for law enforcement.
On 6 May 2015, three days after shooting McCord, Hill was arrested and charged with reckless conduct, a misdemeanor. Hill was indicted by a Gwinnett grand jury last November on a reckless conduct charge.
Georgia statutes say a law enforcement officer charged with a crime during the performance of their official duties is entitled to have that case presented to a grand jury, Porter said. Whether or not Hill—who reportedly drove a county-owned vehicle to the model home—should be considered on-duty during the shooting is still being debated, but Porter said he wants to play it safe.
“There’s enough of a question here that [Gwinnett County Solicitor-General Rosanna Szabo] and I decided that the safest way to go was to present the case to the grand jury, so later on down the road [Hill] can’t come back and say it should’ve been,” Porter told The Atlanta Journal-Constitution.
Outcome: On 30 August 2016, Sheriff Hill pleads “Nolo Contendere” or no contest, which carries a sentence of 12 months probation, a $1,000 fine, and statutory fees. His first offender probation may terminate after paying fines and fees.
Hill retains his position as Clayton County sheriff after beating out four Democratic opponents in May to win a third term with more than 60% of the vote.
