April 8, 2021- 10:28 a.m
The two Orlando Police Department officers who fatally shot an armed 22-year-old man as he fled through a Kirkman Road apartment complex in February will not face charges, officials announced Friday.
Kevin Aldophe, who police say was caught driving a stolen car, died after being shot at by officers Ben Chisari and Jeffery Madison on Feb. 18.
The fatal confrontation happened after Aldophe ditched the vehicle and fled on foot through the Summerfield Apartments in southwest Orlando.
The video released Friday appeared to bear that out, showing Aldophe holding a handgun in his left hand as he ran from Madison, then pointing it backward at an angle.
Though Madison’s device wasn’t yet recording audio, another officer’s camera captured a gunshot as Aldophe lost his footing and fell forward, before Madison had drawn his gun.
Also released Friday was a letter by the Orange-Osceola State Attorney’s Office informing OPD that the officers would not face criminal charges.
“There is no evidence in this instance that Officer Madison or Officer Chisari used poor judgment, committed intentional misconduct, or acted with any degree of malice or prejudice,” wrote Assistant State Attorney Linda Drane Burdick.
“To the contrary, the evidence suggested they each acted in self defense with force believed reasonably necessary to prevent imminent death or great bodily harm to themselves or fellow officers.”
