Officer involved in shooting could have violated social media policy

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — When Charlotte-Mecklenburg police Officer Paul Quinichett shot and injured a 14-year-old boy who had pointed a gun at officers over the weekend, it triggered an investigation that is likely to find that he did nothing wrong, sources told Eyewitness News.
                 
But two posts on Quinichett's Facebook page months earlier could have him in trouble.
 
Both posts address violence in Charlotte's African-American community, and Quinichett appears to have posted them while at the scene of shootings.

Read our past coverage:

• Officials: Teen involved in officer-involved shooting out of hospital
• CMPD chief on teen shot by officer: Parents need to be aware
• CMPD: Teen injured in officer-involved shooting near uptown

In November, Quinichett, who is black, posted this using the #blacklivesmatter: "....on a crime scene where several cars and apartments were shot up!  This is a black neighborhood and I been here for awhile [sic].  I bet this won't spark any protests...I wonder why?"             
                 
A month later he posted: "two more houses shot up tonight with more than 10 victims...still no protests or riots!   I'm starting to think people don't care!"
                 
The posts raise questions that some here say need to be raised.
 
"He does have a point," said Dee Sumpter, who founded Mothers of Murdered Offspring after her own daughter was murdered 22 years ago.
 
Sumpter, who is black, said violence, specifically violence in the black community, needs to be addressed.   
        
"Black lives matter. Can I take it a step further? Humanity matters," she said.
                  
Quinichett's posts may have also violated Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department's social media policy, which specifically prohibits officers from posing personal statements about on or off duty incidents.
                 
"I think that's a personal statement.  So is it a directed violation?  It could be," said attorney Brad Smith, who reviewed the department's policy and said that Quinichett's posts may have gone over the line. "That's something you're not supposed to do."

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