Georgia Police Officers Indicted in 2022 Shooting Death of Man Inside his Home

Two Georgia police officers, Russell Mathis and Jordan Vance, have been indicted in the shooting death of a man inside his home in suburban Atlanta in 2022. The officers face charges of felony involuntary manslaughter and misdemeanor reckless conduct, according to the DeKalb County District Attorney Sherry Boston. The incident occurred on November 4, 2022, in Stone Mountain.

Incident Details

According to the preliminary investigation, the officers responded to a call about a stolen car parked in a home's driveway at around 11 p.m. Upon arrival, Vance knocked on the front door, which swung open, and the officers entered the house. Mathis then opened the door to a second-floor bedroom and found the victim, Marando Salmon, sitting on a bed in the dark. The officers identified themselves and issued commands, but Salmon did not comply. The Georgia Bureau of Investigation reported that Salmon allegedly threw an object at an officer but did not touch a firearm. Despite this, Mathis opened fire, killing Salmon.

Controversy Surrounding the Shooting

The officer claimed he believed the object thrown by Salmon was a knife, but it was later revealed to be a cellphone. At the time of the shooting, Salmon was unarmed; however, a holstered gun was later recovered in the bedroom. Paramedics transported Salmon to Grady Memorial Hospital, where he was pronounced dead.

Family's Reaction

The announcement of the charges was made during a press conference, as the family of Marando Salmon looked on. The details of the shooting and the subsequent indictment have left the family seeking justice for their loved one.