No charges for Pineville officer who shot, killed shoplifting suspect

No charges will be filed against a Pineville Police Department sergeant who shot and killed an accused shoplifter in May, investigators said.

The incident happened on May 14 near the Food Lion on Johnston Road near Highway 51. A Pineville police officer responded to a shoplifting call and said the suspect, 46-year-old Dennis Bodden, got into a struggle with him before he took off.

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The Mecklenburg County District Attorney’s Office said Sgt. Adam Roberts’ body cam footage shows him approaching Dennis Bodden, who was wearing headphones under his hood.

The video reportedly shows Dennis Bodden was startled when Roberts yelled for his attention.

Roberts said he caught up with Dennis Bodden and used a Taser on him after he got “physically confrontational.” Police said Dennis Bodden got more aggressive so Roberts used a Taser on him again before a second officer arrived.

This is when police said Dennis Bodden lunged at the sergeant and tried to grab his gun, so the sergeant shot him. Roberts told investigators he feared for his life, and the DA said he fired his gun three times. Dennis Bodden died at the scene.

The Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department led an investigation into the shooting. On Tuesday, the department announced its findings, saying they found the shooting to have been justified and no charges will be filed in the case.

CMPD said the Pineville officer “perceived an imminent deadly threat and fired their service weapon.” The Mecklenburg County District Attorney’s Office said it agreed with CMPD’s decision .

Dennis Bodden’s family said he lived with mental health challenges and are disappointed that the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department won’t charge the sergeant.

The Pineville Police Department is still conducting an internal investigation.

The district attorney agrees with CMPD’s decision not to pursue charges against Roberts.

Dennis Bodden’s family said they will fight for justice.

2020 shooting

Channel 9 learned that the sergeant was involved in another shooting in 2020.

Roberts was one of two officers who shot a man who was pointing a gun at people on Polk Street in 2020. That man survived. Roberts was cleared of wrongdoing for that incident.

(PREVIOUS: Family of man killed by Pineville officer says he struggled with mental illness)