Camden County Sheriff asks Georgia Bureau of Investigations to investigate
The Georgia Bureau of Investigations (GBI) is investigating an officer-involved shooting in Camden County, according to a news release from the state law enforcement agency Monday.
According to the release, the Camden County Sheriff’s Office asked GBI to conduct “an independent investigation” after Leonard Allan Cure, 53, was shot and killed. According to the Innocence Project of Florida, Cure was wrongfully convicted in 2003 of an armed robbery and was later exonerated in 2020 by the state of Florida.
GBI says preliminary information indicates a Camden County deputy pulled over Cure on Interstate 95 at 7:30 a.m. Monday. The news release said the driver exited the vehicle and complied with the officer’s commands until “learning that he was under arrest.” The news release said the deputy deployed a Taser and Cure “assaulted the deputy.” The release said the deputy used the Taser and a baton to subdue the suspect, but he did not comply.
“The deputy pulled out his gun and shot Cure,” the news release said. “EMTs treated Cure, but he later died.”
GBI did not release the name of the deputy involved.
Sheriff Jim Proctor told the Tribune & Georgian that Cure was pulled over by the deputy after he was “clocked at over 100 mph” on the interstate. Proctor said he didn’t think Cure had any outstanding warrants and “did not know” if Cure possessed a weapon during the incident.
Proctor said the deputy was the only law enforcement official on the scene during the incident, but the deputy had called for backup prior to the shooting. The sheriff said the deputy had some “minor scratches” and “superficial” injuries. Proctor said the deputy was placed on administrative leave pending the outcome of the investigation.
Proctor also said he didn’t think the deputy had been involved in any other shooting incidents prior to Monday.
The Innocence Project of Florida said Cure was traveling from South Florida to his residence outside of Atlanta after visiting his mother.
According to the Innocence Project, Cure was sentenced to life in prison and served 16 years before his “eventual exoneration.” Cure received a finding of “actual innocence” after authorities determined he was miles away from the armed robbery he was convicted of performing.
Cure was compensated by the state of Florida on Aug. 9.
“Most meaningful was that the state of Florida apologized to him for wrongfully taking his liberty,” an Innocence Project news release said.
The Innocence Project said Cure had reconnected with family and “started a new life outside of Atlanta.”
“The Innocence Project of Florida mourns Lenny’s loss,” the news release said. “We will do all we can to support Lenny’s family and all who knew him and loved him.”
This is the 80th officer-involved shooting GBI has been requested to investigate in Georgia this year. Once the investigation is completed, the case file will be given to the Brunswick Judicial Circuit District Attorney’s Office for review.
“Sheriff Jim Proctor has asked the GBI to investigate the incident, and when complete, all official reports by the GBI will be released for review,” A Facebook post by the sheriff’s office said Monday afternoon.