MANTEO, N.C. — A redacted 911 call transcription offers new details about the night a Dare County Sheriff's Office deputy shot and killed 38-year-old Demetrius Selby.
In the overnight hours of October 3, authorities responded to Burnside Road on Manteo for reports of trespassing. 13News Now previously reported how the state's restrictive body camera laws would make it difficult for potential body camera footage to be seen by the public and media. A previous Freedom of Information Act request was denied by the sheriff's office, pursuant to state code.
The family has since questioned the law enforcement response from that night, on the basis that the property on which it occurred was considered the land of their larger extended family, as well as the family's description of Selby's mental health complications.
A four-page transcript of the 911 call from that night touches on several pieces of previously reported information, as well as new information about the type of assistance requested before the shooting.
Previous history, mental health complications
While the caller noted to the dispatcher that Selby was "not supposed to come here," the caller's comments suggest they are at least familiar with Selby and possibly of previous incidents of a similar nature.
"He's done this. Yeah, he's done this before," the caller reportedly said.
Selby's family previously told 13News Now directly after the shooting that he was well known in the area and it would not be unusual to see him at this particular location.
"Our family has owned this property, passed down for generations," Ebony Selby, his sister said.
They also noted Selby battled with "mental health issues," including coping with the murder of his daughter, Aonesty Selby, earlier this year.
The caller also told the dispatcher they're unsure if "he needs to take his medicine" and they "don't know what he's on," according to the transcript.
Ambulance requests
Before the caller acknowledged a request for police assistance, there were at least two mentions to bring an ambulance to the property instead.
DISPATCHER – Does he need police or does he need an ambulance
CALLER – He needs an ambulance. [Inaudible]
The caller notes an ambulance was called "the last time they came out here".
Mention of knife
The caller noted to the dispatcher that they believed they saw a knife fall out of the pocket. In its initial release of the incident, the Dare County Sheriff's Office said Selby came at the authorities with a knife.
The medical examiner's report has not concluded, along with a final finding from the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation.