By Associated Press - Tuesday, August 19, 2014

OPELIKA, Ala. (AP) - Opelika Police say they won’t release a state report and dash cam footage of an officer-involved shooting that left an Air Force airman injured.

Chief John McEachern said Tuesday the city’s attorneys told him an Alabama Bureau of Investigation report and video of the March 6 shooting of Michael Davidson are privileged under state law and could have an impact on litigation.

Officer Phillip Hancock shot 20-year-old Michael Davidson on March 6 while responding to a call about an erratic driver on I-85. McEachern has said Hancock shot Davidson after he stepped out of his vehicle based on a perceived threat.



A grand jury reviewed the shooting and determined the officer’s use of deadly force was justified. Davidson has sued the city and the officer who shot him.

Copyright © 2026 The Washington Times, LLC.

Please read our comment policy before commenting.