Cop Charged With Attempted Murder for Shooting Unarmed, Wounded Man in "Groin Area"
On Wednesday, prosecutors charged Baltimore Police Officer Wesley Cagle with attempted first-degree murder, accusing Cagle of standing over an unarmed suspect who had been shot multiple times, calling the victim a “piece of shit” and firing a bullet into his groin.
According to State’s Attorney Marilyn Mosby, two other officers at the scene were justified in shooting suspected burglar Michael Johansson in December 2014 after he reached for his waistband. By the time Cagle arrived, however, Mosby says Johansson was on the ground motionless and “no longer considered a potential threat.”
“Officer Cagle positioned himself overtop of Johansson at which time Johansson stated, ‘What did you shoot me with? A bean bag?’ and Officer Cagle replied, ‘No, a .40-caliber, you piece of (expletive),” Mosby said at a press conference Wednesday evening. “Officer Cagle then took aim and fired his .40-caliber departmental issued firearm one time, striking Johansson in the groin area.”
Cagle, who has turned himself in, was additionally charged with attempted second-degree murder, first-degree assault, second-degree assault and use of a handgun in a crime of violence, WBAL-TV reports.
If convicted, Cagle faces life in prison.
