Former Danville Officer Andrew Hall Cleared Over Tyrell Wilson’s Death During Confrontation

A former police officer, already serving a prison sentence for a previous fatal shooting, will not face charges over the 2021 killing of Tyrell Wilson, a mentally ill Black man, during a confrontation in Danville, California. Contra Costa District Attorney Diana Becton confirmed on Friday that no charges would be filed against Andrew Hall, 33, in connection with the death of Wilson, who was holding a knife when officers responded to a call regarding rocks being thrown from an overpass.

Hall, who is currently serving a six-year sentence for the 2018 shooting of Laudemer Arboleda, was involved in the March 2021 incident that led to Wilson’s death. Wilson, 32, who had schizophrenia, was killed after a tense standoff with Hall. Video footage of the incident, captured by a nearby motorist, shows Wilson moving away from Hall before the officer opened fire, fatally shooting Wilson in the head within 32 seconds of the initial encounter.

Becton stated that while the case was complex, her office did not have sufficient evidence to pursue criminal charges, explaining that Hall’s actions could be justified as self-defence. “This was a difficult and challenging case,” she said, adding that the loss of Wilson’s life was deeply felt in the community.

Wilson’s family and their lawyer, John Burris, strongly disagreed with the decision. Burris argued that Hall’s response was excessive and that Wilson’s mental health issues should have been considered when assessing the situation. He believes that a prosecution could have been warranted and that earlier intervention in Hall’s first fatal shooting might have prevented the second tragedy.

The killing has raised further questions regarding the role of race, with Hall being white and Wilson being Black. Critics point to the fact that Danville is a predominantly white town, and Hall’s previous history of using lethal force has compounded suspicions about systemic issues within the police force.

The confrontation began when Hall and other officers arrived at the scene of a reported disturbance involving Wilson, who was carrying a knife. According to the prosecutor’s report, Wilson told Hall not to touch him, brandished the knife, and moved away while threatening the officer. When Wilson allegedly stepped towards Hall with the knife raised, Hall shot him.

Tyrell Wilson’s tragic death, alongside that of Laudemer Arboleda, has sparked protests and legal action. Civil rights lawsuits have been settled by the county, which also provided police officers to Danville under a contract. Hall’s actions continue to divide opinion, and Wilson’s family is considering asking the state attorney general or U.S. attorney to review the case.