Autopsy released in state trooper fatal shooting of Charlotte deaf man

A state report released Thursday morning shows that Daniel Harris was not under the influence of alcohol or drugs when he led a North Carolina state trooper on a high-speed chase that ended when the deaf Charlotte man was shot and killed near his home.

The report by the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner found that the 29-year-old’s blood did not include any traces of cocaine, alcohol, opiates or other substances when it was tested on Sept. 24.

In addition, Harris’ autopsy, also released Thursday, shows that he died from a single gunshot wound to his chest that damaged his heart, right lung, liver and kidney, the Mecklenburg County Medical Examiner’s Office ruled.

The shot was fired by N.C. State Trooper Jermaine Saunders following an 8-mile chase Aug. 18, in which speeds reportedly reached 100 mph. At the time, Saunders reported on his radio that he began pursuing Harris when he clocked him going 88 mph on Interstate 485. The shooting occurred after Harris left his car near his family’s home on Seven Oaks Drive.

The new findings now become part of the ongoing investigation surrounding Harris’ death by the State Bureau of Investigation. Audria Bridges, the bureau’s special agent in charge for the Charlotte area, said Thursday that her office is in “the final stages” of its investigation but was still awaiting the autopsy findings.

The decision whether to file criminal charges rests with the Mecklenburg County District Attorney’s Office.

Assistant District Attorney Bill Stetzer, head of the office’s homicide division, declined to comment Thursday about the status of the case.

The reaction from Harris’ loved ones was somewhat restrained.

“The family is not surprised by any of the released results,” said family attorney Will Devore of Charlotte. “Daniel Harris was returning straight home from work when this incident occurred. The family desires to wait until the criminal investigation into Trooper Saunders’ conduct is completed by the SBI and the District Attorney before issuing a formal statement on the tragic death of Daniel.”

Nonetheless, the dead man’s brother, Jason Donath, said he was relieved with the findings. “Sadly, it also adds to the incomprehensibility of the situation,” he added.

Law enforcement officers are legally authorized to use deadly force when they have a “reasonable” fear that they or others are in imminent danger of death or serious injury.

Harris’ death was the first of two fatal shootings by law enforcement officers that rocked the Charlotte area over a one-month period.

On Sept. 20, Charlotte-Mecklenburg police Officer Brentley Vinson shot and killed Keith Lamont Scott during a confrontation outside Scott’s University City apartment. Police say Scott was armed at the time and refused orders to drop his gun. Harris was white; Scott was black. Officers Saunders and Vinson are black, as well.

As with Harris, Scott reportedly had a disability – his was related to a traumatic head injury suffered several years ago.

Harris had a previous conviction for resisting arrest. Scott’s criminal record included check fraud, assault and weapons-related charges. He also served six years in prison in Texas for shooting another man.

Harris’ death elicited a candlelight vigil in his behalf. Scott’s death set off nights of violence, looting and vandalism across uptown.

Investigations into both incidents continue.

This story was originally published October 6, 2016 at 10:04 AM with the headline "Autopsy released in state trooper fatal shooting of Charlotte deaf man."