Spotsylvania Deputy Indicted In Shooting Of Unarmed Black Man

SPOTSYLVANIA COUNTY, VA — A Spotsylvania County special grand jury indicted a sheriff’s deputy Thursday on a felony charge in connection with the April shooting of unarmed county resident Isiah Brown.

The Spotsylvania County Sheriff’s deputy, David Matthew Turbyfill, apparently mistook a cordless house phone that Brown, a 32-year-old Black man, was holding for a gun, according to police reports.

The grand jury charged Turbyfill with felony unlawful wounding due to serious injuries and felony reckless handling of a firearm. If Turbyfill, who is white, is found guilty in Spotsylvania Circuit Court, the charge, a class 6 felony, carries a prison term of up to five years and a fine of no more than $2,500.

The shooting took place early April 21 near Brown’s home in the 12200 block of Catharpin Road. Turbyfill had given Brown a ride home earlier that night after Brown’s car broke down, and returned to the area after Brown made a 911 call.

Body camera footage shows that Turbyfill fired multiple shots at Brown around 30 seconds after exiting his vehicle at the scene. Brown was hit numerous times and the deputy provided aid at the scene. Brown was then taken to the hospital.

Brown underwent surgery to repair “extensive damage” to his intestines caused by the gunshot wounds. In late May, Brown was released from the hospital and is continuing his recovery at home.

Brown's attorney, David Haynes of The Cochran Firm - Washington D.C., said Brown and his family welcomed the grand jury’s decision to indict Turbyfill on the felony charge.

“The shooting resulted in significant injuries to Mr. Brown which will undoubtedly impact him for the rest of his life,” Haynes said in a statement Thursday. “Mr. Brown did nothing wrong and was on the phone with a 911 dispatcher when Turbyfill recklessly shot him eight times.”

SEE ALSO: Spotsylvania Deputy Appears To Mistake Cordless Phone For Gun

Haynes said that Brown and his family are calling for Turbyfill’s immediate termination from the Spotsylvania Sheriff’s Office. Turbyfill has been on administrative leave during the investigation.

Brown and his family are also asking for the release of all audio communication between the deputy and dispatch, all video from the scene as well as Turbyfill's employment records and personnel file.

“Isiah Brown's life was shattered and changed forever when he crossed paths with David Turbyfill,” Haynes said. “While this indictment doesn't take Mr. Brown's physical pain away, it does signify a measure of justice. We look forward to the successful prosecution of David Turbyfill."

Brown's family has launched a GoFundMe campaign to help offset expenses associated with his hospitalization.

At the request of Spotsylvania Sheriff Roger Harris, the Virginia State Police conducted an investigation into the incident. The state police confirmed that Brown had no gun.

Fredericksburg Commonwealth's Attorney LaBravia Jenkins, who was appointed as special prosecutor in the case, said she will not be prosecuting the case in Spotsylvania Circuit Court because she is retiring Aug. 1. Another attorney in the Office of the Fredericksburg Commonwealth's Attorney will handle the case once Jenkins steps down, according to The Free Lance-Star.

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