Man fatally shot by trooper was shot by Durham officer in 2008
DURHAM COUNTY, North Carolina (WTVD) -- The man killed in a trooper-involved shooting Sunday had been shot by a law enforcement officer in the past, according to court documents.
North Carolina State Highway Patrol Trooper Jerimy Mathis is on paid administrative leave following the incident on U.S. 501 near Duke Street in Durham.
The Highway Patrol said Mathis tried stopping Willard Eugene Scott Jr. for a lane violation and erratic driving shortly after 1 a.m. Scott refused to pull over, leading Mathis on a brief chase before getting out of his car and running.
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Authorities said Mathis fired at Scott while running after him, during an "armed confrontation."
Scott, 31, later died at Duke Regional Hospital.
The SBI, which is now leading the investigation, said a black handgun that does not belong to the Highway Patrol was found at the scene.
Records show that in 2008, Scott was charged with assault on a law enforcement officer with a firearm and assault by pointing a gun. The charges were later dismissed.
Durham police told ABC11 that on Jan. 16, 2008, officers responded to a call about a man with a gun on Seven Oaks Road. An officer shot Scott in the leg after he refused to drop his weapon.
Court records also show Scott would have been due in court Tuesday on misdemeanor charges of assault on a female and assault on a government official.
The SBI is interviewing eyewitnesses. Anyone with information should call (919) 779-8188 during normal business hours and (800) 334-3000 after hours.
Mathis has been placed on administrative leave pending an internal investigation as is standard operating procedure in any trooper involved shooting.
According to the North Carolina Department of Public Safety, the department recognized Mathis "for acts of valor, meritorious service and being a good Samaritan" in November 2013.
In Feb. 2013, Mathis was on duty when Trooper Michael Potts was shot in Durham County. According to NCDPS, Mathis was first on scene and treated Potts until EMS arrived.
