Pineville Officer Involved in Second Shooting Incident
High-Profile Shootings Involving Sgt. Adam Roberts
In Charlotte, North Carolina, a report released by the Mecklenburg County District Attorney stated that Pineville Police Sergeant Adam Roberts would not face charges for the shooting of Dennis Bodden, aged 49. It’s come to light that Sgt. Roberts was involved in another high-profile shooting in 2020, raising concerns among community members.
Dennis Bodden was unarmed when he was shot and killed following an alleged shoplifting incident at a Food Lion in Pineville on May 14. Post the incident, Bodden’s family and the Charlotte Mecklenburg NAACP made public outcries asking why the Crisis Intervention Team did not respond to the scene, despite Pineville Police supposedly knowing about Bodden’s mental health condition.
Further Investigations Required
Roberts was involved in a lawsuit against the Pineville Police Department in 2021 following another shooting incident involving 12 shots fired and a man wounded multiple times but survived. Despite the 2020 incident, Roberts did not undergo additional training as he was not found in violation of any policies. The Pineville Police Department did, however, host a training for all sworn officers addressing similar scenarios to the 2020 shooting.
The Charlotte Mecklenburg NAACP expressed concern about the DA’s report inconsistencies and argued that there was a conflict of interest in CMPD leading the investigation rather than the State Bureau of Investigations.
“That’s a local police department actually investigating another local police department who has ties with one another,” remarked NAACP President, Reverend Corrine Mack. She further called for an independent investigation by the State Bureau of Investigations and a review of police-involved shootings since 2016.
A Call for Justice
Rev. Mack stated, “When you have several officers on the scene, I would think they would have the opportunity and the ability to secure him in some way without taking his life. This should not have happened.” making a strong plea for change in police protocols and responses.
Pineville Police Department expressed transparency and respect for the investigative process in a recent statement and sent their condolences to Bodden’s family. Sgt. Adam Roberts is currently on administrative leave with expected return post the conclusion of the internal affair investigation by the Pineville Police’s Command Staff.
