Police say they were arresting Denkins on a warrant when he began running away. Officer D.C. Twiddy, according to County District Attorney Lorrin Freeman's report, pursued Denkins and tackled him. At that point, Twiddy said he shot Denkins as he "attempted to reach into his waistband for a handgun." Twiddy fired twice at Denkins “because he was in fear of his life,” the report said. Whether Denkins had a gun, and whether he reached for it, is in dispute. A forensic pathologist found that Denkins was shot in the back.
Victim's Name: Akiel Rakim Lakeith Denkins
Agency Responsible: Raleigh Police Department
Gender: Male
Age: 24
Race: Black
Date of Death: February 29, 2016
County: Wake
Cause of Death: Gunshot
Official Disposition: Pending investigation/No Known Charges
Criminal Charges: No known charges
Mental Illness: No
Armed: Unclear
Weapon: gun
Threat Level: attack
Fleeing: Foot
Body Camera: No
Washington Post Database ID: 1327
Geography: Urban