Prosecutor: WPD officer ‘justified’ in downtown Wilmington shooting

WILMINGTON, NC (WWAY) — A prosecutor with the Conference of District Attorneys has determined that Wilmington Police Officer Adam Phillips was justified under NC law and used reasonable force when he shot Raymond McGriff in September.

According to a release from the Wilmington Police Department, the prosecutor reviewed the investigative file compiled by the NC State Bureau of Investigation. It included an interview with McGriff, interview with Ofc. Phillips, interviews with multiple witnesses, video recordings, body camera recordings, medical records and other documents.

The shooting happened on September 7 near Chop’s Deli on Front Street. It happened in the middle of the day.

The WPD says during an officer-involved shooting it is protocol for the District Attorney to call up on the NCSBI to investigate the officer’s actions.

WPD says they took the added step in this case of requesting the NC Conference of District Attorney’s to review the file to determine whether charges should be filed against Ofc. Phillips.

McGriff is charged with Resisting a Public Officer, Assault on a Government Official, and Going Armed to the Terror of the Public.  Wilmington Police says NC Rules of Professional Conduct prevents them from giving any more details about the circumstances surrounding the incident.

According to arrest warrants, McGriff did not comply with the officer’s command to place his hands against a wall and instead, pulled away, reached into his waistband, pulled a gun, and ran off.

WPD says once criminal charges are resolved against McGriff, a full copy of the letter from the Conference of District Attorneys will be released.

Ofc. Phillips was assigned to desk duty during the outside investigation by the NCSBI.

Now that the investigation is over, he will return to full duty effective today.