Cop who shot teen has fatal shooting on record

Tuesday, Feb. 3, 1998 | 10:22 a.m.

A Metro Police officer who shot an armed 16-year-old robbery suspect last week has been identified as 26-year-old Brian DeBecker.

It's the third shooting, one deadly, that DeBecker has been involved in during his seven years with Metro.

In the latest shooting, DeBecker, in his patrol car, had followed Jared Finley along Yale Street Thursday, getting out at least twice and ordering the teen to stop walking and to drop the .38-caliber revolver he allegedly had in his right hand.

DeBecker fired his gun at least four times when Finley abruptly stopped and turned in the officer's direction, police said. He was hit once in the left arm and treated at University Medical Center before being charged with attempted murder, burglary, robbery with a weapon, and resisting with a weapon charges.

Police said Finley will be charged as an adult.

Police have identified Finley as one of two suspects mall security guards attempted to take into custody for an apparent shoplifting attempt about 5 p.m. that day.

The suspects were being escorted to the security office when Finley darted out the mall's doors. Finley allegedly pointed a handgun at a pursuing guard, then fled the property.

Metro's helicopter spotted a person matching the suspect's description running north on Decatur Boulevard. DeBecker eventually caught up to Finley a few minutes later.

In January 1994, DeBecker, then 21, shot and wounded 21-year-old Arturo Pena. The shooting happened after Pena struggled with the officer, drew a .45-caliber handgun and began shooting, police said. DeBecker was not hurt, but Pena was wounded in the left groin and shoulder. The shooting was ruled justified.

In February 1993, Gregory Joe Warren, 37, was shot to death after police say he lunged at two officers with a knife. The family claimed that police provoked Warren and argued that a videotape of the altercation contradicts the officers' memories. Officers DeBecker and Steve Borden said they were protecting themselves when they each fired one shot a Warren, killing him. U.S. District Judge Lloyd George ruled in the officers' favor.