Former and Current DeKalb County Officers Indicted in Fatal Shooting Case

Two individuals, one current and one former member of the DeKalb County Police Department, have been indicted in connection to the shooting death of a man within his Stone Mountain residence.

Former officer Russell Mathis, aged 30, was indicted on Wednesday by a DeKalb County Grand Jury on charges of felony Involuntary Manslaughter and misdemeanor Reckless Conduct. Additionally, current DKPD Officer Jordan Vance, also aged 30, was indicted on a charge of Reckless Conduct.

The indictments follow the events of November 4, 2022, when Marando Salmon, aged 37, was fatally shot inside a home on Autumn Crest Court. Initial investigations suggest that Officers Mathis and Vance responded to a report regarding a stolen car parked in the driveway of a residence on Autumn Crest Court. Upon arriving, Officer Vance knocked on the front door, which subsequently opened, leading Officers Mathis and Vance to enter the premises.

During the search of the house, Officer Mathis reportedly encountered Salmon in a second-floor bedroom, sitting on his bed in darkness. In a rapid sequence of events, Officer Mathis discharged his weapon, resulting in the death of Salmon. The shooting occurred after Salmon allegedly threw a cell phone at Officer Mathis, which the latter mistook for a knife.

It was revealed that Salmon was unarmed at the time of the incident, although a holstered gun was later found in the bedroom. Emergency medical services transported Salmon to Grady Memorial Hospital, where he was pronounced deceased.

Following their indictments, arrest warrants were issued for Mathis and Vance by the Grand Jury. Both individuals are anticipated to surrender themselves to the DeKalb County Jail in the forthcoming days. The case will be assigned to a judge and scheduled for trial at a later time.