By: Richard L. Smith
In a decision reached on April 22, 2024, a state grand jury concluded its deliberations without filing any criminal charges against Englewood Police Officer Luana Sharpe for the fatal shooting of 22-year-old Bernard Placide.
The incident occurred on September 3, 2022, in Englewood and has since drawn significant public attention.
The investigation, led by the Office of Public Integrity and Accountability (OPIA), was conducted under the mandates of the Independent Prosecutor Directive, implemented in 2019.
The directive requires such cases to be handled with a high degree of transparency and objectivity.
According to the OPIA, which issued standard operating procedures in July 2021, the jury was presented with all available evidence, including witness statements, video footage, and autopsy results.
The critical incident happened when officers responded to a violent domestic disturbance at a residence on West Englewood Avenue.
The 911 caller reported that a man, later identified as Mr. Placide, was armed with a knife and was attacking a relative.
Upon their arrival, officers encountered Placide, who refused to relinquish his knife despite multiple commands and the deployment of a taser by Officer Brian Havlicek.
During the confrontation, Officer Sharpe sustained a knife wound to her hand as she attempted to disarm Placide.
When non-lethal measures failed to neutralize the threat, Officer Sharpe resorted to using her firearm, fatally wounding Placide.
Community members questioned the use of force, stating officers knew Placide was in the room alone and, at the time, was only a threat to himself.
This case highlights ongoing debates around police use of force and the mechanisms in place to ensure law enforcement accountability.
Despite the tragic outcome, the grand jury’s verdict of “no bill” indicates their consensus that Officer Sharpe’s actions were justified under the circumstances.
The injured parties, including the initial victims of the domestic disturbance and Officer Sharpe, received medical treatment and were later released from the hospital.
The OPIA has reiterated its commitment to conducting thorough and impartial investigations in accordance with its guidelines to foster public trust and uphold justice.
