FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact:
Phone:
Email:

Cameron Kline
215-686-8711
cameron.kline@phila.gov

AFTER REVIEW OF EVIDENCE, PHILADELPHIA DISTRICT ATTORNEY WILLIAMS

DETERMINES CRIMINAL CHARGES CANNOT BE FILED IN THE SHOOTING DEATH OF
BRANDON TATE-BROWN
PHILADELPHIA (March 19, 2015) Philadelphia District Attorney R. Seth Williams today announced
that after an extensive review of the evidence including video, forensics and statements from both
Philadelphia Police Officers and independent witnesses he cannot file charges against the
Philadelphia Police Officers involved in the shooting death of Brandon Tate-Brown.
The loss of any life is sad, but its heartbreaking when a mother has to bury a child, said District
Attorney Williams. My team and I have spent hours reviewing statements from multiple witnesses and
Philadelphia Police Officers, video from three different locations, DNA and ballistic information, the
actions of Philadelphia Police Officers and Mr. Tate-Brown, and extensive physical evidence. All the
evidence indicates that Mr. Tate-Brown, after repeatedly struggling with officers, appeared to be
reaching for an illegal handgun at the time he was shot.
District Attorney Williams was joined by civic and religious leaders and elected officials for the
announcement.
Earlier in the week, District Attorney Williams met with more than 20 religious and community leaders to
present an overview of the evidence (i.e. video, forensic and officer and witness testimony). And last
month, District Attorney Williams spoke with the mother of Brandon Tate-Brown to offer his
condolences.
The standard that the Philadelphia District Attorney must employ to determine whether a Police Officer
used or did not use the appropriate level of force is mandated by the Pennsylvania Crimes Code (18
Pa.C.S. 508 Use of Force in Law Enforcement). That standard provides for the use of deadly force
if the officer reasonably believes that it is necessary to prevent the use of deadly force against himself
or others. In this case, the officers actions were not in violation of the crimes code.
Some of the questions that were answered during the investigation include:
QUESTION: Did anyone see Brandon Tate-Browns gun?
EVIDENCE: Both officers promptly reported to others that a gun had been seen in the car
during the traffic stop. The gun was photographed and recovered from the car immediately after
the shooting.

QUESTION: Was the gun Brandon Tate-Browns and could it have been left in the rental car
from the previous renter?
EVIDENCE: Brandon Tate-Browns DNA was on the gun.
QUESTION: Was Brandon Tate-Brown shot from behind after trying to run away?
EVIDENCE: Numerous independent eyewitnesses confirmed statements by police officers that
Brandon Tate-Brown was not trying to run away but instead tried to re-enter the passenger side
of his car where the gun was located.
The Philadelphia District Attorney's Office is the largest prosecutor's office in Pennsylvania, and one of the largest in the nation. It serves the
more than 1.5 million citizens of the City and County of Philadelphia, employing 600 lawyers, detectives and support staff. It is organized into
seven divisions: Executive/Administration, Trials, Pre-Trial, Investigations, Juvenile Law, and Special Operations. The District Attorney's Office
is responsible for prosecution of over 75,000 criminal cases annually. The main office of the Philadelphia District Attorney is located in Center
City Philadelphia at The Widener Building, Three South Penn Square. The Juvenile Court and Child Support Unit are located at 1501 Arch
Street, and the Private Criminal Complaint Unit is located at 1425 Arch Street. Additionally, the Charging Unit is staffed around the clock in
The Widener Building.

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