Boiling Spring Lakes officer testifies for day 2 of Vassey trial

BOLIVIA, NC (WWAY) — The trial continues for former Southport Officer Bryon Vassey who is accused of killing teen Keith Vidal in 2014.

The trial for Vassey began yesterday.

Today’s afternoon session focused on testimony from Boiling Spring Lakes officer John Thomas and recordings from his body microphone.Officer Thomas was the first officer to respond to the home where Vidal was killed.

Thomas, who had been called to Vidal’s home before, knew the teenager had schizophrenia and said his main purpose while at the home that day was to get Vidal to a hospital where he could receive help. In his testimony, Thomas recalled that Vidal did not become aggressive until Officer Vassey entered the home.

Shortly after Vassey entered Vidal, who Thomas says ran towards officers with a screwdriver was tased, then shot. Thomas, who was holding Vidal to the ground, said he didn’t realize the teen had been shot until moments later when he saw blood.

Also in Wednesday’s session, were recordings of the body microphone Thomas was wearing during the incident. The recordings replayed audio of the events that unfolded including the sounds of the taser and gun shot.

“Why did you shoot him, what’s wrong with you?” said Mary Wilsey, Keith’s mother, in the recordings.

Vidal’s family was noticeable upset reliving the moments when Keith was shot.