The Branson Police Department holds a Press Conference Friday afternoon to update the investigation into an officer-involved shooting incident that took place in February.
The incident took place at Dalton's Convenience Store on West 76 Country Blvd on February 28 when a wanted suspect, Randall Wesolek, Jr. of Rockaway Beach, had pulled into the parking lot after initially being spotted driving on Roark Valley Road.
A video of the incident was shown during the press conference which included the officers' initial engagement of Wesolek, who had initially given them a false name, followed by the officers asking Wesolek to exit his vehicle when a struggle began between Wesolek and three officers.
During the struggle, Wesolek produced a handgun after which officers fired the weapons in response. Wesolek was seriously wounded and though officers on the scene began life-saving measures though Wesolek eventually succumbed to his injuries. A check of the handgun did result in the discovery of a loaded round in the chamber.
After the incident, investigations were conducted first by the Missouri State Highway Patrol followed by an internal investigation by a Branson Police Department Review Board. The results of the investigation were turned over to the Taney County Prosecutors Office and after evaluation, decided not to pursue criminal charges against the officers.
During the press conference, Police Chief Eric Schmitt said in response to a question that Wesolek was wanted on seven warrants including five felonies. Schmitt also responded to a question about the length of the investigation, noting that the transition in the Taney County Prosecutor's office from the late William Duston to Brad Hughes did cause a delay on getting the final decision from that office.
The complete video from Press Conference can be seen on the City of Branson's YouTube Channel.
(NOTE, Video of the actual shooting is included in the presentation. Viewer discretion is advised)
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