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Audio and text messages of 911 communication between Sampson and Duplin dispatchers and recent shooting victim Shawn West Jr. offer a first glimpse into what unfolded at the Dollar General Market on Faison Highway in the wee hours of Friday, June 12.
Meanwhile the SBI continues to investigate the officer-involved shooting that resulted in the death of the 22-year-old, with officials confirming the case remains active and that body camera footage will not be released without a court order.
“The SBI investigation into the officer-involved shooting on Friday, June 12, is active and ongoing,” NCSBI Public Information Director Chad Flowers confirmed this week. “There are many parts to this investigation, and we are working diligently to complete it as soon as possible, while thoroughly investigating every aspect of the case.”
Flowers said once investigators complete their work, the case file will be submitted to Sampson County District Attorney Ernie Lee for review.
The Sampson Independent has requested body cam footage from the two Sampson County Sheriff’s deputies who responded to the Dollar General Market on Faison Highway that night, but the request has been denied.
“The body camera footage would be part of the investigative case file, and the SBI will not be releasing that without a judge’s court order,” Flowers said. “The normal process for any type of police bodycam/carcam video release is through petitioning the court for release.”
The shooting occurred during the early morning hours of June 12 at the Dollar General Market, where two Sampson County sheriff’s deputies, responding to 911 calls made by West, encountered the young man. According to previous statements released by the SBI, West was armed during the encounter. The deputies discharged their weapons, and West died at the scene. Both deputies remain on administrative leave while the investigation continues.
Following the shooting, members of West’s family told a local television station that he had been released from a mental health facility one day before the encounter with deputies and they (family members) believed he was experiencing a mental health crisis at the time of the incident.
Audio obtained by The Sampson Independent from emergency communications reveals a calm West repeatedly asking dispatchers to send officers to his location before deputies arrived on the scene.
According to Sampson County 911 Communications Manager Cliff Brown, the initial emergency call was received by Duplin County Communications before being transferred to Sampson County 911 Communications, the dispatching agency.
Brown advised that the audio was released because the SBI had completed its initial review of the incident.
The audio recordings further show that dispatchers asked West multiple times what the problem was but he either did not say or would hang up and then call back, again asking officers be sent to the location.
During his initial contact with Sampson County 911, West is heard saying on the audio, “I need help. Hurry up.” He gave his location and repeated, “I need help. Please hurry.”
The 911 operator continued to inquire about the situation, but the call was disconnected. On the fifth call between West and Sampson County 911 communications, the transcript begins with West, a growing agitation in his voice, asking, “You can’t just do your job?” The operator responded by saying “Sir, my job is to ask you questions. I need to know exactly what’s going on. What’s your name?” West then reiterated that he needed help, restated his location, and gave his name. Before the call ended, West asked, “So you can’t come if I don’t tell you exactly what’s happening?”” The last words that are heard by West before the recording ends were “I need you guys.”
The SMS text messages exchanged between Sampson 911 and West. The initial message from Sampson 911 states, “Sir, I need to know what is happening to make sure we are sending the correct help to you. Tell me exactly what is happening?” West responded a minute later, “There’s a weapon.”
The 911 dispatcher responded within 30 seconds, asking “Who has a weapon? Tell me exactly what is happening? Sir, tell me exactly what is happening so we can get you the correct help.” Sampson 911 sent two more messages following, but there were no more text responses received by West, leading the conversation to be closed at 7:44 a.m. June 12.
Earlier requests for additional records, including the 911 recording and investigative materials, were denied while the SBI investigation remained active. To better understand North Carolina’s public records law, the newspaper consulted North Carolina Press Association attorney Mike Tadych, who cited N.C. General Statute § 132-1.4.
Under the statute, records compiled as part of a criminal investigation generally are not considered public records while an investigation is ongoing. However, certain information remains public, including the time, date, location and nature of a reported incident and, under some circumstances, portions of 911 communications and radio traffic. The law also allows law enforcement agencies to seek a court order preventing disclosure of otherwise public information if its release would jeopardize a criminal prosecution or undermine an active investigation.
Efforts have also been made to obtain comment from West’s family. By press time, no official comment has been made.