Officer who shot, killed man accused of attacking Charlotte pastor won't be charged

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — The Mecklenburg County District Attorney’s Office has cleared the Charlotte-Mecklenburg police officer who shot and killed a man earlier this year.

The DA’s Office released a 115-page report on Tuesday detailing why officer Timothy Kiefer won’t face charges in the shooting that killed Michael Kelley.

In January, police said Kelley walked into the South End Presbyterian Church, asked for prayer, then slashed the pastor with a box cutter before stealing his wallet and car.

[PAST COVERAGE: Charlotte pastor fought off attacker who was fatally shot by police officer]

They said Kelley then robbed the Family Dollar on West Tyvola Road, before Kiefer spotted the suspect on West Boulevard.

The DA’s report said the video from Kiefer’s body camera “shows the decedent emerging from behind the dumpsters with his left arm pointed toward Officer Kiefer and his right arm behind his back.”

It said Keifer then ordered Kelley to get to the ground and to take his hand from behind his back. Kelley reportedly said, “I’ll shoot you,” and started running toward Kiefer.

The report said Kiefer, "fired several shots while the decedent continued to run toward Officer Kiefer.”

It said Kiefer went behind his vehicle, but Kelley was still chasing him. That’s when Kiefer “then fired three additional shots, and the impacts of those shots can be seen striking the decedent.”

The report said Kelley fell and dropped a knife on the ground.

It continues that Kiefer “faced an imminent threat of great bodily harm or death,” and the state decided not to charge him.

Cox Media Group