Attorney for man sued by NDP officer disputes shooting story

NORFOLK, Va. (WAVY) – In 50 years as a lawyer, Johnny Hooker said he’s never seen a case where a police officer prosecuted a suspect – until now.

Hooker, who represented Chad Harrison in his criminal case, is speaking exclusively to 10 On Your Side.

Norfolk officer files suit against man in 2023 shooting

Sgt. of Norfolk Constabulary. Chris Deuell is suing Harrison, who Deuell’s attorney said fired two shots at the officer nearly a year ago as the defendant hid in a home at 8810 Semmes Ave. Nov. 26, 2023, when officers arrived at his front door.

Responding to a 911 call, Deuell tried to enter the home as Harrison pushed back, and according to the incident report, home video will show Harrison on the other side of the door.

Deuell’s attorney, Tim Anderson, said Harrison fired twice with a long gun through the door, one of the bullets coming inches from hitting Deuell, causing the officer to suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder, or PTSD, Anderson said.

Hooker said Harrison had no idea who was at his door because police failed to knock and announce themselves, a requirement of the Fourth Amendment.

“They never announced themselves,” Hooker said. “… They never did what they were supposed to do. They never said they were police and (knocked).”

Stipulated facts accepted by Assistant Commonwealth’s Attorney Norfolk state that Harrison “discharged a firearm into the interior floor of the residence … that he accidentally discharged the firearm” and not at Deuell, as Anderson alleged.

“It was pointed down,” Hooker told 10 On Your Side. “When they broke down the door, they hit the firearm and it went off.”

Anderson claims it was no accident.

“Now you might get away with one shot, but he fired twice, and one of those bullets almost hit my client,” Anderson said.

Regarding Deuell’s pending civil case against Harrison for intentional infliction of emotional distress over the shooting incident, Hooker put it this way: “The bullets went (spiraling) down into the doorway, so nothing approached the officer. . So I can’t imagine what kind of doctor is going to see that this is PTSD.”

Anderson said Harrison’s legal team has no idea what the medical records will show regarding mental stress and PTSD.

Hooker, however, is skeptical.

“I don’t think he suffered anything physically or emotionally,” Hooker said.

Chad Harrison said he has video of the ringer that proves his side of the story. He was charged with discharging a firearm in an occupied building, but accepted a plea to disorderly conduct, which was dismissed after a year of good behavior.

The first hearing in the civil case is December 6.

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