Richmond Police Chief on officer indictment: 'tragic situation for all'
CHESTERFIELD, VA (WWBT) - The Richmond Police officer indicted in the murder of a Chesterfield teen is out on $25,000 bond.
A judge agreed Officer David Cobb was not a threat to the community.
Cobb is charged with the second-degree murder of 18-year-old Paterson Brown Jr., who was shot while at a Chesterfield gas station.
The defense argued that Brown was trying to steal a vehicle and Cobb, who was off-duty at the time, attempted to stop Brown using his personal gun.
Cobb had his gun out for three to four minutes before the shooting occurred. The defense attorney said Brown seemed "incoherent and hostile."
The physical encounter was caught on video, which will be shown as evidence during the case.
Officer Cobb's lawyer says once the nine-year veteran heard he had been indicted by a grand jury, Cobb turned himself in before the paperwork was even signed. At his bond hearing, Cobb was clearly emotional and wiped away tears as lawyers went over his record and the shooting.
His family, including stepdaughter Chelsea Roane, were in that courtroom.
"He's a great officer, you can look at his background," she told NBC12 outside the courthouse.
Officer Cobb was a school resource officer where the police chief says he worked well with young people.
Richmond Police Chief Alfred Durham has issued the following statement regarding the indictment of Officer David Cobb:
"Simply put, this is an unfortunate and tragic situation for all involved. Officer Cobb is an outstanding police officer and has served the department and the community well. He worked well with youth on a daily basis in his assignment as a school resource officer. We have to now allow the judicial process to take its course."
Cobb is currently on leave without pay, and the department says he is in good standing, pending the outcome of the case.
NBC12 reached out to Brown's family and friends but have not heard back.
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