Councilman appealing to feds after report on man shot in wheelchair

WILMINGTON, DE (WTXF) - A New Castle County councilman is asking the federal government to get involved in the deadly shooting of a paralyzed wheelchair-bound man.

Last week, Delaware's Department of Justice released its report and decided not to charge the Wilmington police officers who killed Jeremy McDole, 28, last September.

The four officers said he had a gun and believed their lives were in danger, but the investigation found deficiencies in the police department's use-of-force policies and training.

Now, New Castle County Councilman Jea Street and Rev. Donald Morton of Complexities of Color Coalition released a letter written to U.S. Attorney General Loretta Lynch and Delaware's U.S. Attorney Charles Oberly. They asked the Justice Department and FBI to get involved, review the report and investigate further.

They call the report "replete with potential civil rights violations that warrant your attention and consideration."

They claim the city of Wilmington rejected the report, including the police recommendations, and that Delaware's law on the use of deadly force may "violate or conflict with federal civil rights laws."

They also detail the conduct of the officer who fired at McDole in this case, another shooting and statements he reportedly made.

Street wrote to Lynch and Oberly back on Sept. 28, but was asked to wait until the state's report was released.