Lymond Moses shooting: Delaware officers were justified in using deadly force, review finds

The incident began after Lymond Moses was found asleep in his car on a dead-end street.
Tuesday, December 21, 2021
NEW CASTLE, Delaware (WPVI) -- The Delaware Department of Justice has ruled New Castle County police were justified in using deadly force against a driver nearly one year ago.

Police shot and killed 30-year-old Lymond Moses in Wilmington on January 13, 2021.
[Ads /]
The incident began after Moses was found asleep in his car on a dead-end street.

Moses repeatedly told the officers that his mother lived next to where his car was parked. The officers said they were in the area looking for stolen vehicles.

RELATED: New Castle County Police release police body camera footage in fatal shooting of Lymond Moses
Police release bodycam video of fatal shooting in New Castle County


Body camera footage showed Moses driving off when police tried to get him to exit his car after reportedly seeing marijuana.
[Ads /]
"The officers observed a bag of marijuana in the front console, told Mr. Moses that they were not concerned about 'just weed,' and that they just wanted him to step out of the car to make sure that he was okay," read a portion of the use of force report.



The officers say they opened fire when Moses made a U-turn and drove at them at a high-rate of speed.

Moses then crashed the vehicle and later died from a gunshot wound to the head.

An outside review of the incident concluded that Moses' death could have been avoided if better policing tactics were employed.

SEE ALSO: Family of Lymond Moses, man shot and killed by New Castle Co. police, files lawsuit
[Ads /]
"Addressing flawed policies and inadequate training, including gaps in use of force measures, will not only prevent incidents like these from continuing to happen, but increase the safety of members of law enforcement officers and the public," the report states.

The family has filed a wrongful death lawsuit.



You can read the full report here.

Copyright © 2024 WPVI-TV. All Rights Reserved.