An investigation has ruled that US police officers acted lawfully when they fatally shot Gregor Fleming, an expatriate from Scotland, during a disturbance outside his home in Hampden Township, Pennsylvania.
The 44-year-old, originally from Thornliebank near Glasgow, had reportedly moved towards the officers with a firearm in hand on March 7. Fleming had settled in the US eight years prior and was engaged to his American partner, Kelly Thompson when the tragic episode happened.
Kelly, 47, has narrated her fiance’s tales of depression and heavy drinking prior to his death, triggered by the possibility of him having cancer, as revealed by a medical scan. Subsequent to his investigation, Cumberland County District Attorney Sean M. McCormack declared that the shooting adhered to the law, hence, absolving the two involved officers of any legal repercussions.
McCormack’s investigation concluded that despite warnings, Fleming did not discard his weapon and intentionally aimed it at the officers. His decision was based on multiple elements such as the officers’ body cam footage, dash cam video from their vehicle, witness accounts, and the testimonies of the officers involved.
The report reads: “Officers demanded Fleming drop his weapon. He chose not to and proceeded to approach the officers…when he arrived at the central double yellow lines of the roadway, Fleming elevated his arm and intentionally pointed his firearm at the officers.”
Further details reveal that Fleming was hit three times in the torso and once in the upper thigh by the Hampden Township officers in self-defense and the protection of the public. Despite immediate first aid provided by the officers and medical help from a nearby staged ambulance, Fleming succumbed to his injuries on the spot.
Mr McCormack further clarified, “Where the involved individual believes that deadly force is necessary for the purpose of self-protection, or others, against the use of unlawful force by any other person, or persons, then the use of force is justified.”
Therefore, he stated that the Hampden Township police officers’ use of deadly force was justified as a response to the life-threatening situation created by Fleming.
Fleming’s fiancé celebrates his memory as a “selfless, kind, generous, and loving person” and an “amazing stepfather” to her four children. She added, “He had been in severe pain since February after breaking his back and on top of that the imaging found a mass on his esophagus that was likely cancer.”
Discussing his mental health, she revealed, “He spiralled out of control, started drinking heavily, and became suicidal…He was depressed and scared about possible cancer and the alcohol and medications he had for pain didn’t help.”
Kelly, a medical assistant, expressed no reservations with the actions of the involved officers. The couple had plans to move back to Scotland, where Gregor, a fervent Rangers supporter, was training to be a plumber.
Alluding to their engagement in July last year, she mentioned that Fleming had designed her engagement ring himself and had it custom made.
For anyone struggling with life’s challenges, Samaritans are available 365 days a year. You can reach out to them for free on 116 123, or email at jo@samaritans.org. Visit samaritans.org to find your nearest branch.
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