Medical Examiner Releases Autopsy on MARTA Shooting Victim

By Rose Scott

Atlanta, GA –
The Fulton Chief Medical Examiner has released an autopsy report regarding the shooting death of a 19 year old by a MARTA police officer.
It happened last Saturday night near the Vine City Transit station.
There are conflicting reports as to what occurred.
As WABE's Rose Scott reports the autopsy is just one aspect that investigators will look to for clues.

What exactly happened is the question the Georgia Bureau of Investigation will have to determine.
The medical examiner's report does indicate 19-year old Joetavius Stafford was shot three times, once in the chest and twice in the back.
It doesn't give detail as to which shot was first or what position the body was in when fired upon.
WABE legal analyst Page Pate says it could be difficult for the GBI to figure out what took place.

PATE:"and they will do everything they can to get everyone's statement and to try and put facts together to put themselves back in the officer's position try to determine if at that point based upon on the evidence they have he made a reasonable decision in using deadly force"

Tuesday, the Atlanta Journal Constitution reported a MARTA spokesperson called the shooting justified and stated the teen was armed.
That's different than what the teen's family has been telling local media outlets.
Pate says the GBI's conclusion will play a role in the next step.

PATE:"and ultimately both the department, the MARTA police department and perhaps even the district attorney's office will need to make a final decision about whether the office acted appropriately or needs to be disciplined or even prosecuted criminally"

MARTA officials are not commenting further on the case because the GBI is investigating.