Inquiry ongoing in police shooting
By Jack Stephens
Published in News on August 14, 2005 2:10 AM
An investigation of the shooting of a 19-year-old man by a Goldsboro police officer is nearing completion by the State Bureau of Investigation.
"We're waiting on one report, and then we will deliver a full report to the district attorney," said John Rea, assistant special agent in charge at the Greenville SBI office.
Officer Steven Powers shot Tremayne Navaris Carmichael of Beech Street May 26 during a traffic stop in the 900 block of Fourth Street.
Carmichael was treated for his injuries, admitted and later released from Wayne Memorial Hospital.
Rea said Thursday he expects to have a final lab report in about 10 days. A number of SBI agents have been working on the case.
District Attorney Branny Vickory said when the SBI report is finished, he will act on it, based on the law.
Carmichael was charged by police Investigator G.N. Lynch with two felony counts of assault on a law-enforcement officer with a firearm -- Powers and the second officer to arrive, Sonya Cates -- and one felony count of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.
He also was charged with misdemeanor carrying a concealed weapon and two counts of resisting arrest.
Upon further investigation, Lynch charged Carmichael with possession of a stolen firearm.
Carmichael was released from custody after a secured bond was posted. His next court appearance is scheduled for Sept. 8.
At the time of the shooting, Powers was put on paid administrative leave. He suffered a minor injury during the scuffle but has since returned to duty.
According to a police report, Powers was looking for a particular car at about 7 p.m., when he saw what he thought was the auto and initiated a traffic stop. The report said Carmichael got out of a green Volvo, fought with the officer and drew a handgun. Powers then fired at the man.
Carmichael was convicted Nov. 15, 2004, of felony possession with intent to sell and deliver marijuana. He served 40 days in jail, was given a four-to-five-month suspended sentence, placed on 36 months of supervised probation and fined $200 and court costs.
He also has several outstanding traffic charges.
Vickory said only the SBI agents, not his or the police investigators, can interview Carmichael because he was charged in the case.