NORFOLK, Va. — A special grand jury indicted Officer Tim Million III after reviewing the evidence and looking at officer body camera footage in a shooting that left Norfolk resident Tony Singleton dead.
Singleton's sister Joanne Ray said she's heartbroken by her brother's death.
“Tony and I were very close. I want justice for my brother death. I loved him dearly. I’m devastated,” Ray said.
Singleton was driving on Interstate 64 in Henrico County on November 6, 2021, when he crashed and his car flipped in a single-vehicle accident. Police say Million shot and killed Singleton.
"The officer arrived on the scene and, during an encounter with the driver, discharged his weapon, striking the driver," a Henrico Police spokesperson wrote in an email about the situation. "Both the driver and passenger were taken to an area hospital to be treated. The driver died from his injuries."
The passenger suffered non-life-threatening injuries and the officer was not hurt, according to police.
Members of a grand Jury heard from witnesses and watched officer body-worn camera video before they decided to indict Million.
"The charge that we have here today is reflective of an action where one may have observed something and overreacted to a situation," Taylor said.
Taylor said Singleton was carrying a bladed weapon when he was killed.
"I do think it's important to let the public know that in the course of this investigation, the driver Mr. Singleton did have an edged weapon on his person," Taylor said. "That information was presented to the special Grand Jury panel."
Million was indicted by a special grand jury on one count of voluntary manslaughter. The special grand jury convened at Taylor's request.
Singleton’s friend, Heath Merritt, says there’s not a day that goes by without him thinking about his friend.
"He could have tased him. He could have done anything, but he didn’t deserve to be shot three times on the side of the road like that. He just flipped his car three times. You’re coming out of a wreck," Merritt said.
Henrico Police say Million has been with the department since 2018. He is currently on paid administrative leave.
Million was arraigned and released from jail. The officer is due back in court on February 28.
