Andrew Brown Jr., a 42-year-old Black man, was fatally shot on April 21, 2021, in Elizabeth City, North Carolina, while deputies from the Pasquotank County Sheriff’s Office served drug-related search and arrest warrants at his home. The warrant issued April 20 charged him with possession with intent to sell about three grams of cocaine. Brown was shot five times, including once in the back of the head; the official death certificate listed the manner as homicide.

Brown’s family commissioned a private autopsy that confirmed a shot to the back of the head and four shots to the right arm, and described the fatal bullet’s trajectory as bottom to top, left to right, and back to front. Body-camera video viewed by the family reportedly showed shots fired while Brown’s car was stationary with his hands on the steering wheel; the district attorney said deputies opened fire after Brown attempted to flee and his car contacted deputies. Seven officers were placed on leave and the FBI opened a federal civil rights inquiry; on May 18, 2021, District Attorney Andrew Womble announced no criminal charges would be filed, saying the officers were justified.

What information or local perspectives might help clarify the sequence of events that night?