Springfield Police officer charged with assault in connection with shooting of panhandler

(From the Springfield Police Department)

As announced on May 9, two separate investigations would be conducted (as is SPD practice) after the officer-involved shooting that occurred that day. The SPD’s Criminal Investigation Division conducted its investigation and presented the case to the Greene County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office for determination of possible criminal charges. Greene County Prosecuting Attorney Dan Patterson announced this morning that the shooting was not justified and charged Officer Jason Shuck with a Class A misdemeanor of assault in the third degree.

Parallel to that investigation, the SPD’s Inspections and Internal Affairs Unit conducted a separate investigation which focuses on the behavior and conduct of the employee as it relates to the performance of their duties, and in compliance with established rules and regulations. Once completed, the investigation will be reviewed by the officer’s chain of command and forwarded to the Chief of Police for a final determination. This internal investigation, and the process of reviewing the results of the investigation, is still underway.

(The following was the original May 9 press release from the Springfield Police Department.)

The Springfield Police Department was dispatched to Walmart Neighborhood Market at 1320 S. Glenstone Ave. in reference to an anonymous call to check a panhandling subject who may have outstanding warrants.

An officer responded to the location, and the subject ran away from the officer in the southeast direction toward Bennett St. The officer discharged his duty weapon and the subject sustained a gunshot wound. The officer then requested emergency medical services.

The subject has been identified as Eric David Butts, 26, of Springfield. He is on probation and parole for burglary and has a second-degree felony burglary warrant out of Greene County and a municipal traffic warrant out of Springfield. Butts is in police custody while being treated at a hospital.

The Criminal Investigation Division and Investigation and Internal Affairs Unit are both conducting investigations. The officer, who has been with the SPD for 11 years, is now on paid administrative leave. No further information regarding either investigation is available at this time.