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A deputy with Beaufort County Sheriff’s Office will not be charged by District Attorney Tom Anglim in the shooting death of 19-year-old Alec Edward Shaw, formerly of Rutherford County. 

Anglim announced on Tuesday (May 27) that criminal charges will not be brought against the deputy. Based on evidence, Anglim determined that the shooting death was “justified” and the deputy did not use excessive force.  

On Jan. 9, at approximately 1:33 p.m., Shaw  was fatally shot during a standoff with sheriff’s office deputies and Washington Police Department officers and one Highway State Trooper near Faith Assembly Church on Highway 33 in Chocowinity.

According to an autopsy report from a medical examiner with ECU Health in Greenville, Shaw died from a single gunshot to his head. 

Three days before the shooting, deputies with Beaufort County Sheriff’s Office responded to a call from Shaw’s family member. The family member had not made contact with Shaw since Dec. 31; therefore, they requested a welfare check be conducted on Shaw. Deputies responded to a residence on Hodges Road in Chocowinity; however, residents at the home stated that Shaw “no longer lived in the area,” according to Anglim. 

On Jan. 8, deputies responded to two calls – one at 9:40 p.m. and another at 10 p.m. –  at 739 Hodges Road in Chocowinity. Deputies investigated the nature of the calls which appeared to be “to be a non-physical, non-violent family dispute, but not domestic violence,” according to Anglim. Shaw was present when deputies’ arrived both times. Shaw was dating a woman who lived at the residence. The following day, it was learned that the woman recently ended a relationship with Shaw, but they agreed to be friends. 

On Jan. 9 at approximately 1:06 p.m., a 911 caller said Shaw took a loaded .22 caliber rifle from the residence at 739 Hodges Road after an argument between a female resident and himself, according to Anglim.

“Following this argument Shaw left the residence and about an hour later came back to the residence and grabbed a rifle that was near the backdoor of the residence. The 911 caller reported that he followed after Shaw and Shaw pointed the rifle at the 911 caller and threatened to shoot the caller. The 911 caller went to a neighbor’s residence and called 911. The 911 caller gave a description of Shaw, his clothing, and the rifle,” according to Anglim. 

Shaw left the area and walked toward Carrow Road and N.C. Highway 33. Observed by law enforcement officers, Shaw ran behind a residence at 111 Carrow Road. He was instructed multiple times by law enforcement officers to lay down the rifle and come out with his hands up. Shaw moved behind a propane tank and fired the rifle twice toward law enforcement officers. Shaw fled the area with the rifle and shot the weapon again. He ran behind Faith Assembly Church.  “Shaw pointed the rifle in the direction of law enforcement and civilians at or near the intersection of NC 33 and Frederick Road,” according to Anglim. 

Shaw refused to lay the rifle down after being instructed to do so multiple times by law enforcement officers. “He raised the rifle to shoulder it while in a kneeling position,” according to Anglim. 

“The deputy who shot Shaw then saw Shaw come out completely from behind Faith Assembly Church, take a kneeling position with the rifle lowered in front of Shaw. The deputy yelled for Shaw to drop the gun four-to-five (4-5) times. The deputy told the deputies around to take cover because Shaw was about to shoot. Shaw was shouldering the rifle from a kneeling position. The deputy shot Shaw. The deputy believed that the threat Shaw posed to law enforcement officers was imminent. The deputy fired the Colt M4 one (1) time striking Shaw in the head,” according to an interview between the deputy who shot Shaw and the State Bureau of Investigation who investigated the shooting. 

Between four and six law enforcement officers were at the scene at the time of the shooting. 

Emergency Medical Service was called and emergency medical treatment was initiated on Shaw. He was pronounced deceased at the scene. 

“The deputy faced perceived apparent danger. District Attorney Anglim, based on the evidence, concluded that the deputy was legally justified in using deadly force against Shaw. As tragic as this incident is with the loss of life, the deputy on scene was nonetheless legally justified in defending himself and others from death or great bodily injury. There is insufficient evidence beyond a reasonable doubt to show that the deputy who fired the fatal shot, acted in a manner that was inconsistent with the perception of an apparent threat,” according to Anglim. 

In the press release, Anglim expressed “heartfelt empathy” to Shaw’s family “in the loss they are feeling and dealing with the death of Alec Shaw.” 

Anglim virtually met with Shaw’s family members Feb. 26 and again on May 20 to discuss the investigation. 

“Alec’s parents said that Alec was deeply loved and will be missed immensely. They described Alec as an adventurer and explorer, spending time on a farm and outdoors. That his behavior, while his own, did not depict who he really was and did not reflect their values. Alec had been struggling with his mental health leading up to his interactions with Beaufort County Sheriff’s Office. Alec’s parents are grateful that no one was harmed by his actions and wanted to thank the Beaufort County Sheriff’s Office, the SBI and all who were involved with the investigation for their care and compassion in this difficult time,” Anglim’s office shared.