Metro police officer fired after Madison officer-involved shooting

Metro police have fired a police officer who discharged his service weapon during a burglary manhunt in Madison last week.

The department relieved Officer Matthew Nelms of his duties for violating the department's use of deadly force, spokesman Don Aaron said Tuesday.

According to an investigation, Nelms fired into a Chevrolet Tahoe while police sought a burglary suspect on Nov. 30 near a home on Nesbitt Lane. No one was struck by Nelms' gunfire, police said.

Initially, Nelms reported he believed his life was in danger but an investigation revealed the reasoning does not appear plausible, police said.

Nelms, 26, who graduated from the MNPD Academy in June after just about six months of training, fired on a Chevrolet Tahoe being driven by convicted felon and suspected burglar David Lauderdale on Nov. 30 as the Tahoe began quickly backing out of a yard on Nesbitt Lane. At the time, Nelms reported that he fired in self-defense because, he said, the moving Tahoe put him in imminent danger.

However, a detailed examination of the Tahoe by police department crime scene experts and a review of Nelms’ statements does not corroborate that, Aaron said.

The department’s review, he said, led to the finding that Nelms fired his service pistol as many as five times while, at one point, on the driver side of the SUV, and then on the passenger side. The shots were fired in a residential area as the Tahoe was in reverse and backing away from Nelms.

On Friday, Aaron said, Nelms was informed in writing that his assertion of firing in self-defense did not seem credible or plausible, and appeared to be in violation of MNPD use of force policy. He was directed to appear before Chief Steve Anderson on Monday to present any additional information. At the conclusion of the meeting, Anderson determined Nelms’ performance during his probationary work test period was not acceptable due to his use of deadly force, which was found to be inconsistent with policy and his extensive academy training.

Nelms’ Field Training Officer, Joe Pennington, a 15-year police department veteran, also fired at the Tahoe after Nelms began shooting.

Pennington said he did so after hearing gunfire and not seeing Nelms, who was obstructed from his view by the SUV. Pennington said he surmised that the burglary suspect was firing at Nelms. Pennington was decommissioned late Monday and assigned to desk duty pending the continuing administrative investigation.

Lauderdale fled the scene in the Tahoe and was apprehended a short time later by police dog Echo after bailing and running from the vehicle on N. Graycroft Avenue.

Reach Natalie Neysa Alund at 615-259-8072 and follow her on Twitter @nataliealund.