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Virginia officer indicted on first degree murder charges in fatal shooting of teen

A Virginia police officer who shot and killed a teenager in a Wal-Mart parking lot has been indicted on charges of first-degree murder.

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William Chapman II
Former officer Stephen Rankin/William Chapman II
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A Virginia police officer shot and killed teenager William Chapman II in a Wal-Mart parking lot, and a grand jury later indicted him for first-degree murder and for using a gun in a felony, according to reports.

William Chapman police shooting

Portsmouth Circuit Court records show a grand jury indicted former city officer Stephen D. Rankin on Thursday. Portsmouth is about 2 miles southwest of Norfolk.

Eighteen-year-old William Chapman II was shot April 22. Virginia State Police said the shooting occurred when an officer responded to a call from Wal-Mart security about shoplifting, and a struggle ensued. Chapman is black. Rankin is white.

The Virginian-Pilot reported that an autopsy revealed someone shot Chapman once in the face and once in the chest.

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Unheard Voices, an award-winning, family owned online news magazine, began in 2004 as a community newsletter serving Neptune, Asbury Park, and Long Branch, N.J. Over time, it grew into a nationally recognized Black-owned media outlet. The publication remains one of the few dedicated to covering social justice issues. Its honors include the NAACP Unsung Hero Award and multiple media innovator awards for excellence in social justice reporting and communications.

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