Cop Shoots Homeowner, Deputy Keith Tyner Thought Bryan Heyward Was A Black Robber

When a cop shoots a homeowner after he calls 911 to report a burglary there is certain to be a backlash. The black community is upset because Deputy Keith Tyner, who is white, shot Bryan Heyward because he mistakenly thought the African American man was a black robber holding a gun. Although Heyward ended up in the hospital, he admits he should have dropped his weapon when police officers commanded him to do so.

In a related report by the Inquisitr, the Black Lives Matter movement has firefighters creating a counter-movement where they proclaim that “all lives matter.”

The Charleston County Sheriff’s Office report summarizes the incident involving Deputy Keith Tyner by noting that the cop shot the homeowner only after telling Bryan Heyward to drop his weapon.

“As we were approaching, the back door swung open,” said the report written by Deputy Richard Powell, who responded to the scene with Tyner. The second deputy wrote that he “heard Deputy Tyner shout verbal commands and that there was a gun” and “next heard gunfire as Deputy Tyner fired to suppress the threat.”

Unfortunately, the confusion was caused because the 911 call had referenced armed robbers, with the male caller saying, “Someone was trying to break into my house. Please come. … It’s an emergency and they have guns. Please come!” Before being shot, Heyward had exchanged gunfire with the armed assailants, who fled on bicycles after leaving damage to the home, including a bullet hole in the front window.

Some in the black community are outraged over the cop shooting the homeowner. For example, a man named Norman Johnson wrote on Facebook that he questions the account of the police officer.

“Watson’s account is questionable because he stated Powell was in rear of property and had no visual. Suspect exited the rear where Powell was and suspect was shot by Tyner. Where was Tyner before the shooting? How did Tyner see the armed suspect but Powell could not?”

Another comment by Kalaani Reynolds notes that Bryan Heyward has taken responsibility for the shooting incident.

“The man who was shot is also saying it was his fault. His fault for having a gun in his own home. His fault he didn’t put the gun down quicker. Paralyzed by his rescuers…. There ARE RULES when dealing with the police black people!”

The police department has already released an audio recording of Heyward saying, “I saw officers and I should have put the gun down. I didn’t. They thought I was the crook and shot.” Due to the incident, both police officers are on suspension with pay while the matter is being investigated.

One of the two actual robbers, 22-year-old Thomas Zachary Brown, was arrested following the shooting incident. Brown was charged with first-degree burglary and attempted murder in connection with the home invasion. He was not injured during the shootings.

The second assailant, Joshua Achim Simmons, has a warrant out for his arrest, but he has not been caught as of this publishing. According to Live 5 News, Simmons is six feet tall, weighs 130 pounds, has black hair, and brown eyes. His photo can be seen above, on the left side. Anyone who knows of Simmons’ whereabouts should contact Det. J. Alexander at (843) 554-2475 or CCSO dispatch at (843) 202-1700.

[Images via Charleston County Sheriff’s Office]