Family of Wilmington man shot by police demands release of body camera footage

WILMINGTON, N.C. (WWAY) — The family of a Wilmington man shot by law enforcement officers more than two months ago is demanding the release of police body camera footage after the district attorney’s office decided not to file charges against the officers involved.

Rodney Wilson’s father, Rodney Dixon, joined local activists Tuesday, Oct. 27, at the intersection of Red Cross and Seventh streets, where the shooting occurred Aug. 21.

“God kept my son here for a reason,” Dixon said.

Wilson survived the shooting but continues to receive treatment for multiple injuries, according to his father.

“Just to know he is still alive means a lot, but you know it’s hard, it’s hard,” Dixon said.

Dixon claims officers and deputies fired approximately 19 shots at his son, leaving him with injuries to several parts of his body.

“They shot him in both legs, both of his arms, his back and buttocks,” Dixon said.

The shooting happened around 7:30 p.m. Aug. 21 after police responded to reports of Wilson acting aggressively and pointing a gun at another man.

According to police, Wilson fired shots at responding officers, prompting them to return fire.

However, Dixon disputes that account, saying witnesses have told him a different version of events.

“There was a person standing directly behind it, and he told me your son did not shoot one time, and another person walking over here who said that your son turned to run away and they shot him and continued to shoot him as dirt popped up from the ground,” Dixon said.

Dixon and local activists are now calling for the release of body camera footage to provide more clarity about what happened during the confrontation.

District Attorney Jason Smith says he can not comment on the shooting because Wilson is facing criminal charges.

Wilson has been indicted on four counts of assault on a law enforcement officer, one count of going armed for the purpose of terrorizing the public, one count of assault by pointing a gun and two counts of resisting an officer.

Wilson also has a criminal history, including a 2018 incident in which he was accused of attempting to kill his uncle with a machete.

Dixon said his son has struggled with mental health challenges and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, which he believes have contributed to previous encounters with law enforcement.

“The police are familiar with him, this same area over here, he was arrested, he was going through a mental crisis, and they knew it,” Dixon said.

Wilson remains in custody on a $1 million bond. His next court hearing is scheduled for Dec. 14.