Greene County, MO Shooting (Fatal)

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• published: 22 Mar 2014
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Newly released video shows the events leading up to and the use of deadly force by a Greene County sheriff's deputy on Oct. 4 in Republic. It shows the reality of the time frame that officers have to make life-and-death decisions. Motorists' reports came in at 8:23, 8:39 and 8:50 p.m. of a possible intoxicated driver headed west on U.S. 60 (James River Freeway in Springfield). At 8:41 p.m., Michael Williams called 911 to report his girlfriend, Tammy Robinette, had left Mountain Grove in a green minivan, drunk with an 18 pack of beer and a .38 caliber revolver. Williams told the Missouri State Highway Patrol call-taker that Robinette might be suicidal. Greene County Sheriff's Deputy Matthew Keatts, who was dispatched to the DWI report while he was in Springfield, found out one minute before spotting the van that the driver might be suicidal and armed. He pulled Robinette over on James River Freeway near Highway MM in Republic at 8:56 p.m. The video shows Keatts approaching the van and knocking on the window. "Roll the window down. Roll the window down," Keatts said. When Robinette did not comply, he opened the door. Robinette didn't comply with the deputy's requests to turn off her phone, unbuckle her seat belt and step out of the vehicle. "Step out of the car," Keatts said. "No," Robinette said. "Unbuckle your seatbelt and step out of the car, okay," Keatts said. "No," said Robinette. Keatts began questioning Robinette about how much she had to drink. Keatts says Robinette then raised a pink handled, silver barreled handgun and, as he retreated, he heard a click. Keatts made a split-second decision and fired five shots, hitting her four times, once fatally in the head. Robinette's death was confirmed, and the investigation began. "The investigation was made that much easier by having that video to be able to check the statements of the officer and then to check against the radio traffic as well," said Greene County Prosecuting Attorney DanPatterson. The prosecutor determined the use of deadly force was necessary for Keatts to protect himself from serious injury or death. The autopsy confirmed Robinette died of a gunshot wound to the head. Her blood alcohol level was .225, nearly three times the legal limit for drivers. http://www.allfothbadge.com