For more than two years, Sherita Harris has been waiting for someone to take charge of a bullet that struck her head while riding in the passenger seat of a car in Jackson, Mississippi.
On Friday, the mother of five finally got a sign.
The Mississippi Attorney General's Office announced that two state troopers have been charged in the shooting, which left her with a partially paralyzed face, permanent memory loss and impaired vision and hearing.
"It's been so long, I thought they forgot, to sweep the rug under the rug," said Harris, 40. "It brings me a little joy."
Mississippi Capitol Police officer Michael Rhinewalt and former officer Jeffery Walker were both indicted by a state grand jury on aggravated assault charges accused of shooting Harris "With extreme indifference to the value of human life," Rhinewalt and Walker are also accused of shooting at Harris' friend who was driving. Officers said they opened fire after Jordan shot at them during a pursuit, which he denies.
The indictment was handed down in December; the state Attorney General's Office announced Friday afternoon.
Attorney Scott Gilbert, who represents Reinwalter, said in an email that the officer "acted appropriately when he returned to the fire after being shot by the suspect" and was confident he would " Proven at trial”.
Walker's attorney, Francis Springer, said in an email that Walker "preserves his innocence but is prohibited from making any comments until trial." Walker also faces federal civil rights charges alleging that he Harris struck a motorist during an arrest in July, a month before the shooting. In this case, he pleaded not guilty.
Justin Smith, who represents Harris in a $3 million lawsuit against Mississippi authorities, said he didn't expect the news because the state attorney general's office rarely responds to police shootings.
"I'm shocked, surprised that the AG's office is charging officers," Smith said.
The state attorney general's office said in a statement that it would not comment on the case due to "active litigation."
State Department of Public Safety Director Sean Tindell, who oversees the Capitol Police, said in a statement that Rhinewalt was placed on unpaid leave pending an internal hearing. He said Walker left the Capitol Police in July 2023.
Tyndall said the Department of Public Safety has established an internal unit to independently handle complaints against officers since Harris' shooting on Aug. 14, 2022. Capitol Police now wear body cameras; Walker and Reinwalter were not wearing cameras when Harris was shot.
Harris had no recollection of being shot. The last thing she remembered was her friend Jordan saying the police were pulling them over. Three days later, she woke up in the hospital facing a tear.
Officials, two new employees at the Capitol Police who were part of Jackson's crimes, said Jordan fled a traffic stop and then led them on a chase through downtown. Walker testified at a hearing in September 2022 that he and Reinwalter opened fire on the car after Jordan opened fire on them first. Walker described a rolling gunfight that ended in a residential area. Walker said he saw objects thrown from the car during the chase but did not find the items. Their patrol car was not hit by bullets, he said.
Jordan, who has been jailed since the incident while awaiting trial for escape and aggravated assault on a police officer, was skeptical of Walker's account of the manner of the chase, route of travel and where the shots were fired. ) raised objections to the statement. In letters and interviews, Jordan said he did not have a gun and did not throw anything from the car. He also said officers beat him, which was confirmed by witnesses interviewed by NBC News. He and his attorney could not be reached for comment Friday.
After the chase ended and Jordan was arrested, police searched the car and found no gun, Walker testified. But they did find Harris suffering from a gunshot wound.
A witness previously told NBC News that she heard one of the officers yell, "Oh my God, oh my God," after spotting Harris.
Harris said she needed surgery to remove the bullet and repair her left eye and ear. The left side of her face was partially paralyzed and she struggled to chew her food. She said she suffered from depression and PTSD. She thrived with the help of caregivers and rarely left home.
Harris said the prosecutions put her out of her misery.