Video Released In Officer Shooting During Hostage Situation

CHARLOTTE, NC -- Body camera footage from a 2017 officer shooting by Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police during a hostage situation is now public following a ruling by a North Carolina Superior Court judge, CMPD said Wednesday.

On Sept. 25, Jonathan Autry was shot and seriously wounded by CMPD officers responding to a breaking-and-entering call in west Charlotte. Autry was inside the home, but came outside, holding a pregnant woman hostage at gunpoint.

The incident unfolded after Metro officers responded to a 911 call in 1900 block of Holly Street around 10 p.m. When they arrived, they found Autry, 28, holding a gun on the woman. A child was also in the home.

In the footage, which lasts about seven minutes and is seen from three different cameras, officers can be heard yelling, “Drop the gun now!” as Autry is seen pulling the woman through the dark in a backyard. The woman yells out, “I’m pregnant!” Moments later, a barrage of gunfire erupts.

"The officers repeatedly ordered the suspect to drop his gun and let the woman go," CMPD said in a statement immediately following the incident. In the course of the exchange, the woman was able to "create a slight separation" from Autry. "The officers perceived an imminent deadly threat and subsequently fired their weapon," shooting Autry several times, CMPD said.

Autry was transported to the hospital and is listed as in critical but stable condition. Once discharged, he was transferred to the Mecklenburg County Jail and formally charged with first degree burglary, first degree kidnapping, robbery with a dangerous weapon and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.

SEE ALSO: Charlotte Police Shoot Man Holding Pregnant Woman Hostage At Gunpoint

Neither the woman nor the child were harmed in the incident, and the woman was taken to the hospital as a precaution, police said. (Get Patch real-time email alerts for the latest news in Charlotte — or other neighborhoods. And iPhone users: Check out Patch's new app.)

Witnesses told police that another suspect, who was described as a short, heavyset man wearing dark clothing, fled the house before police arrived.

According to CMPD, the home invasion was not random. “Although the victim and suspect were unknown to one another, the gunman used the name of the victim's husband when demanding the family's money. He was not home at the time of the incident," CMPD said.

The CMPD officers involved in the shooting were Shon Sheffield, Joseph Bauer and James Tindall.The officers were placed on administrative leave, per protocol, while the Internal Affairs Bureau conducts a parallel investigation.

You can watch the videos below. Due to the graphic nature of their content, viewer discretion is advised.

Footage from CMPD Officer Sheffield:

Footage from CMPD Officer Bauer:

Footage from CMPD Officer Tindall:

A review by the Mecklenburg County District Attorney determined the officers acted lawfully, CMPD said April 4, adding, “The DA's Office report of the officer’s findings will be released after the criminal charges against Mr. Autry have been adjudicated.”

Photos via YouTube screenshot, Mecklenburg County Sheriff's Office