A small group gathered near the Market House Thursday evening to protest the decision by a special prosecutor to not pursue charges in the Jan. 8 shooting death of Jason Walker.
Kimberly Spahos, the special prosecutor assigned to review the case, said no charges will be filed against the off-duty Cumberland County sheriff’s deputy who fired the shots that killed 37-year-old Walker. In a letter to the State Bureau of Investigation, she said that North Carolina’s self-defense law allows the use of deadly force if Lt. Jeffrey Hash reasonably believed that he or another person was in imminent danger of great bodily harm or death.
Walker was shot near his home on Bingham Drive after witnesses said he jumped on the deputy’s truck, ripped a windshield wiper off and began smashing the windshield. Hash has said he exited his pickup and shot Walker to protect his wife and daughter, who were in the vehicle with him.
Hash, a lieutenant who has been with the Cumberland County Sheriff’s Office since 2005, was placed on administrative leave pending an internal investigation.
The State Bureau of Investigation looked into the shooting and turned its findings over to Spahos.
As the evening progressed, others joined the peaceful protest. Occasionally, a vehicle that encircled the Market House honked in support of the demonstrators.
Myah Warren organized the protest that was largely promoted via social media.
“Regardless of the number, we want the family to know there are people in the community who want justice,” Warren said. “We will be high profile over the Dogwood Festival. We do plan to come back over the weekend.
“At the end of the day,” she added, “ awareness brings justice.”
The Fayetteville Dogwood Festival begins Friday and continues through Sunday. Events are scheduled to take place throughout the downtown district.
By 7:30 p.m., the group of demonstrators reached about a dozen people. A separate group of about seven people stood across from the Market House at 1 Market Square.
“Say his name,” a protester shouted from the Market House.
“Jason Walker,” came the reply.
Warren said she was not completely surprised by the decision. “The world we live in today,” she said, “unfortunately an officer can get off for killing people.”
Linda Morrisey, 53, of Fayetteville, called the decision “unjustifiable.” She said she knew some of the Walker family members.
Renee Bullard, 38, of Fayetteville, said when crime happens, people need to be held accountable.
“Especially when it’s against a minority,” she said. “Especially when a person has a badge behind their name. It should be more than a slap on the wrist.”
As the group began to increase in numbers, some held signs that read “Black Lives Matter,” “Jeff Hash is a murderer!” “A windshield wiper is not a deadly weapon” and “Justice for Jason Walker.”
Julie Pierre, 39, of Fayetteville, and one of the protesters, displayed a sign that read, “Jason Walker lives,” “Justice for Black Lives” and “Arrest his killer.”
“I believe in equal opportunity, equal rights, and I believe personally that African Americans are discriminated against more out of all people. I just believe we should come together like Martin Luther King said. I believe in Martin Luther King’s dream.”
Deanna Royal, a 30-year-old Fayetteville resident, said Walker had been a friend. He lived a few houses down from her, she said, and they used to walk together in the neighborhood.
“I’m just shocked by the process,” she said.
Michael Futch covers Fayetteville and education for CityView TODAY. He can be reached at mfutch@cityviewnc.com. Have a news tip? Email news@CityViewTODAY.com.
