Police

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.

Published

11 years ago

September 4, 2015

UVM Staff

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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Related Topics:homicide police shootings Virginia

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