news-record.com

GREENSBORO - Three police officers who fatally wounded a wanted subject outside a Greensboro apartment complex in September acted appropriately and will not be charged, the District Attorney's Office announced Monday.

On Sept. 14, police were attempting to arrest 31-year-old Hakeem A. Chaneyfield outside the Colonial Manor Condominiums at 1315 W. Meadowview Road, when Chaneyfield opened fire on officers and was killed in an ensuing gun battle, officials said.

Chaneyfield was wanted by authorities in New York City in connection with the homicide of his girlfriend Jasmine Higgins, 31, who was found dead inside her apartment in Brooklyn, N.Y. on Sept. 13.

Police received information that Chaneyfield was at the Greensboro apartment complex and in possession of a stolen Lexus, Guilford County District Attorney Doug Henderson said in a news release.

Officers were dispatched to the complex, where they set up surveillance of a residence and of the vehicle in the parking lot.

Around 8 p.m., Chaneyfield was spotted leaving the home and walking to the Lexus, Henderson said.

When he opened a rear door and leaned inside - Officer H.E. Summers Jr. approached him shouting "Greensboro Police K-9, get on the ground."

Henderson said Chaneyfield screamed and extended his right arm and hand toward Summers, who saw two muzzle flashes and heard two gunshots. Summers drew his service weapon and opened fire.

At the same time, Officers B.M. Altizer and T.D.
Moore approached from a different direction with their Tasers drawn, expecting a foot chase.

When they saw Chaneyfield open fire, they drew their weapons and returned fire.

Chaneyfield was struck five times and later died.

None of the officers were injured.

Henderson said that a .22 caliber handgun was recovered from Chaneyfield, which he used to fire at the officers.

"(The officers) used deadly force against Hakeem A. Chaneyfield only after he had employed deadly force against the officers," Henderson said of his decision.

"We find that all three officers acted reasonably and lawfully to protect their own lives and the lives of others at the scene."

Contact Ryan Seals at 373-7077 or ryan.seals@news-record.com