PORTSMOUTH, Va. — The trial for a Portsmouth police officer facing two felony charges began Monday. He was accused of shooting an armed burglar in the back as the man ran away six years ago.
That man was 18-year-old Deontrace Ward.
According to body camera video, Officer Jeremy Durocher shouted "He has a gun!" before he shot 18-year old Ward several times in October 2017.
Ward pleaded guilty to five felonies for his role in the burglary, and served six years in prison. On Monday, he testified against the officer who shot him.
On the first day of the trial, Ward said he never stepped towards the officers or community members; that he was just trying to get away.
However, Durocher's attorneys said Ward's actions presented a clear danger to the community.
Durocher's attorneys argued that Ward did not follow commands, and mentioned that he had a fully loaded gun on his body and ran through a residential neighborhood while trying to elude police.
According to expert witness testimony, Ward suffered three gunshot wounds to his arm, shoulder and back after Officer Durocher shot him three times mid-chase in Portsmouth.
Ward survived his injuries. Durocher was given an "honor of valor" following the incident by Portsmouth Police Department.
In November 2018, a grand jury indicted Durocher on two felony charges related to the shooting. Ward filed a civil lawsuit against Durocher for the shooting, and sought $2.35 million in damages.
The City of Portsmouth settled the lawsuit with $200,000.
Prosecutors are expected to continue to bring forth expert witnesses in Durocher's criminal case on Tuesday.