Roanoke Rapids police Chief Bobby Martin returns to work Monday, City Manager Joseph Scherer said in a statement this afternoon.
“I am pleased to receive the decision by Halifax County District Attorney Valerie Asbell to clear Roanoke Rapids Police Chief Bobby Martin of any criminal charges regarding the shooting of suspect Darius Carter,” Scherer said. “The incident occurred on December 20, 2019 and injuries were non-life threatening. The judicial case involving the suspect Darius Carter is still pending, so neither I nor Chief Martin can comment on it. I am extremely grateful for the work Captains (Charles) Vaught and (Jamie) Hardy did while interim police chiefs during the investigative process. I look forward to working with Chief Martin to improve the efforts and results of our police department through his professional competence and leadership ability.”
While Martin declined comment on the December events, he did say, “I agree with the statement by City Manager Joseph Scherer in regards to Captain Hardy and Captain Vaught doing a good job while I was on leave pending the investigation. I appreciate all the hard work of the officers who were on the frontlines and are still on frontlines dealing with COVID-19. I’m just appreciative of our people, I am appreciative of all the support I received from friends, family and my law enforcement family.”
He did say he believed the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation and the district attorney’s office “did a thorough and fair investigation and it shows they’re doing exactly what they’re supposed to do and I am very happy with the outcome.”
Said Martin: “We’re going to move forward from here and I look forward to working with the citizens of Roanoke Rapids along with business owners because some of our small businesses have been hit hard with COVID-19 and we’re going to try to help them during this trying time.”
Asbell said in a statement today no criminal charges will be filed and she determined through investigation and evidence Martin’s use of force was both reasonable and warranted in the case.
