Alto Officer No-Billed in Fatal Shooting

ALTO � The Alto police officer who was involved in the shooting death of James Eric Griffin, 48, in January will not be charged by authorities. KETK reports Smith�s case case received a �no bill� from a Cherokee County Grand Jury. The Texas Rangers concluded their investigation in this case, and the Grand Jury reviewed evidence including surveillance video, crime scene photographs, forensic evidence and autopsy results, and concluded that officer Smith did not break any laws. According to Alto police, Smith is not yet back on duty. He will return to the Alto police department for duty pending police Chief Jeremy Jackson�s approval.

At around 4:40pm on Wednesday, January 13, authorities were dispatched the scene of an officer-involved shooting in Alto on Highway 69. An alleged thief, identified as James Eric Griffin, 48, attempted to rob the Pick N� Go convenience store of cigarettes. The convenience store worker said he called 911 because Griffin had machete. According to the Department of Public Safety, Griffin allegedly charged an Alto officer with a machete in the 200 block of Highway 69 after leaving the store. The officer then shot Griffin as he was being rushed. Sergeant Troy Ansley of the Alto Police Department stated, �Our hearts and prayers go out to the family of the lost. It is time for our community to pull back together and work with one another.�