In the small community of Ethel, Louisiana, the life of 31-year-old Christopher Whitfield, an African American man, came to a tragic end on October 14, 2019. Whitfield, who was known by his family and the community to struggle with a diagnosed mental illness, was fatally shot by a sheriff's deputy. The incident was set in motion by a report from a convenience store owner about a man breaking into an outdoor cooler and stealing food.
Deputies from the East Feliciana Parish Sheriff's Office responded to the call. When they arrived, Whitfield fled the scene with what was reported to be a box of fried chicken. During the foot pursuit that followed, Deputy Glenn Sims Sr. discharged his weapon. The sheriff's office would later describe the shooting as accidental. According to Sheriff Jeff Travis, the deputy unholstered his firearm and fired a shot into the ground in an attempt to halt Whitfield. The weapon then discharged a second time, and this round struck and killed Whitfield.
The shooting immediately drew scrutiny and sparked protests from community members and activists who questioned the use of deadly force against a man who was running away and known to have mental health challenges. The East Feliciana Parish Sheriff's Office, with assistance from the Louisiana State Police, launched an investigation into the shooting. Deputy Sims, who was reported to have a criminal history with at least three prior convictions, was placed on paid administrative leave pending the outcome of the investigation.
The case was eventually presented to a grand jury. The East Feliciana Parish District Attorney's Office sought an indictment against Deputy Sims for second-degree murder. However, in March 2020, after a second round of proceedings, the 12-person grand jury returned a 'no true bill,' indicating they did not find enough evidence to proceed with a trial. Following the grand jury's decision, Deputy Sims was cleared of criminal charges in the death of Christopher Whitfield, though the victim's family was still considering a civil lawsuit.
