St. Louis County Officer Acquitted in Fatal 2017 Shooting of Unarmed Shoplifting Suspect

A St. Louis County police officer, Dantrell Tucker, has been acquitted of involuntary manslaughter in the 2017 fatal shooting of Terry Tillman, an unarmed shoplifting suspect. The verdict, delivered by a jury after less than two hours of deliberation, closes a criminal chapter on a contentious incident that reignited debates over police use of force and accountability.

The tragic encounter unfolded on December 12, 2017, when Officer Tucker pursued Tillman, 38, following allegations of shoplifting from a Home Depot.

During the pursuit, Tucker discharged his firearm, striking and killing Tillman. Central to the defense's argument was Tucker’s testimony that he believed Tillman was reaching for a weapon, perceiving an imminent threat to his safety. This claim became the pivot point for the jury’s decision, ultimately leading to his exoneration.

The charge of involuntary manslaughter was filed against Officer Tucker in 2019 by then-newly elected St.

Louis County Prosecutor Wesley Bell. Bell's decision to pursue charges against a police officer in a use-of-force incident was seen as a significant move, reflecting a broader push for greater scrutiny of law enforcement actions within the community.

For the family of Terry Tillman, the acquittal represents a profound disappointment and a re-opening of wounds.

They have consistently maintained that justice has not been served for their loved one, an unarmed man. Speaking through their attorney, they expressed their frustration and indicated their intention to pursue a civil lawsuit, seeking accountability through a different legal avenue.

Officer Tucker has remained on administrative duty throughout the legal process.

His attorney vigorously defended his actions, framing them as a necessary act of self-defense under high-stress circumstances. The quick deliberation by the jury suggests they found the evidence presented insufficient to convict, or that Tucker’s account of fearing for his life resonated with them.

This case, like many involving police shootings, underscores the deep divisions and differing perspectives on what constitutes justified force.

While the criminal proceedings have concluded with Tucker’s acquittal, the emotional impact on Tillman’s family, and the ongoing public discourse surrounding police accountability, continues to reverberate throughout the St. Louis community and beyond.