Footage emerges of cop shooting man holding wallet

May 2024 ยท 3 minute read

Dashcam footage from a shocking officer-involved shooting in Alabama has emerged almost three years after the incident.

Airman Michael Davidson was shot by Opelika police officer Phillip Hancock after he responded to a report of erratic driving on Highway 85 the evening of March 6, 2014.

The video shows that as Davidson struggled to get out of his vehicle the officer yelled for him to show his hands - and when he did, the officer mistook his wallet for a weapon.

Davidson's attorney Brian Mosholder argued that the reason he was struggling to get out of the car was because his vehicle was parked on a downward slope, making it difficult to emerge from the driver's side

Davidson's attorney Brian Mosholder argued that the reason he was struggling to get out of the car was because his vehicle was parked on a downward slope, making it difficult to emerge from the driver's side

Footage shows the harrowing moment Officer Hancock shot Davidson as he emerged from the car with his wallet 

Footage shows the harrowing moment Officer Hancock shot Davidson as he emerged from the car with his wallet 

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Officer Hancock was cleared of all wrongdoing in the incident, as a court found that he had not infringed on Davidson's constitutional rights and that the officer used 'reasonable' force.

They did, however, reportedly call the shooting a 'disastrous mistake,' according to WRBL

The officers repeatedly asked Davidson if he was armed, to which he responded 'no,' and told them he was only holding his wallet. 

As the video goes on, Hancock shoots and Davidson falls to the ground, where a pool of blood develops around him.

Opelika police officer Phillip Hancock responded to a report of erratic driving on March 6, 2014. Phillip Hancock

Opelika police officer Phillip Hancock (pictured left and right) responded to a report of erratic driving on March 6, 2014.

Airman Michael Davidson (pictured) was shot by officer Phillip Hancock but survived

Airman Michael Davidson (pictured) was shot by officer Phillip Hancock but survived

He lays screaming on the ground for several minutes before paramedics arrive. He survived the incident.

Officer Hancock is shaken when reinforcing officers arrive - cursing as he retells the sequence of events. 

Another officer lays his hands on the hood of a police car, taking several deep breaths and shaking his head at the bloody scene.

Davidson's attorney Brian Mosholder argued that the reason he was struggling to get out of the car was because his vehicle was parked on a downward slope, making it difficult to emerge from the driver's side.

'It's very obvious from that part of the video that Officer Hancock is creating a situation that he wished had happened that would have justified this shooting,' he said. 

The officers repeatedly asked Davidson if he was armed, to which he responded 'no,' and told them he was only holding his wallet

The officers repeatedly asked Davidson if he was armed, to which he responded 'no,' and told them he was only holding his wallet

Officer Hancock was cleared of all wrongdoing in the incident, and a court found that he had not infringed on Davidson's constitutional rights and that the officer used 'reasonable' force

Officer Hancock was cleared of all wrongdoing in the incident, and a court found that he had not infringed on Davidson's constitutional rights and that the officer used 'reasonable' force

'When you look at the video, none of that happened. When you look at the video, in less than six seconds, from the time Michael Davidson opens his door, Officer Hancock shoots him, and he shoots him for absolutely no reason.'  

He was quoted by WTVM as saying: 'Michael is doing physically well. He still has some issues emotionally from being shot. I do not think that is a shock to anyone. We are in the process of determining if we will file an appeal with the United States Supreme Court.'

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