Autopsy: Laurent had 10 gunshot wounds from execution of no-knock warrant

Published 10:59 am Thursday, January 12, 2017

By Amanda Raymond

amanda.raymond@salisburypost.com

SALISBURY – Ferguson Claude Laurent Jr., a black man who was shot and killed by Salisbury Police during the execution of a no-knock warrant in November, had 10 gunshot wounds and had no drugs or alcohol in his system, according to an autopsy report.

The Office of the Chief Medical Examiner reported that Laurent had 10 separate gunshot wounds: one in the head, five in the torso, two in the right upper arm, one in the right forearm, and one in the left wrist and forearm.

Two of the wounds to the torso may have been from the bullets that hit the upper right arm, the autopsy reported.

The gunshot to the head did not pierce the skull or “directly strike the brain,” according to the report, but there were bruises from the bullet in the right temporal lobe.

The shots to the torso included hits to the right lung, diaphragm and liver.

The report said seven bullets were recovered from the body and separate fragments were found in some of the wounds. There were also three bullets found from previous gunshot wounds.

The report lists the cause of death as multiple gunshot wounds.

According to a news release from the Salisbury Police Department, the department does not yet have copies of the autopsy and toxicology results. The department expects more details to be provided once the State Bureau of Investigation has completed its investigation and the report has been reviewed by the district attorney.

“At this time, it would be inappropriate for the SPD to comment on the pending SBI investigation,” the release said.

Laurent, 22, was shot when member of the Police Department’s Special Response Team went to 625 E. Lafayette St. to serve a no-knock warrant.

According to Police Chief Jerry Stokes, Laurent fired once at police officers. Karl Boehm, a member of the Special Response Team, fired back only twice, Stokes said.

An incident report released later said Boehm fired at Laurent, “striking Laurent several times.”

Medical personnel at the scene administered first aid before Laurent was taken to Novant Health Rowan Medical Center, where he later died.

Police seized what officials believed to be crack cocaine, marijuana and several burnt marijuana roaches, rolling papers, digital scales, $1,513 in cash, weapons accessories, cellphones, ammunition, a bulletproof vest and a bong mask at the residence.

They also seized an expensive watch, flat-screen televisions, a laptop computer, video games and consoles, and a computer tablet.

Police have said the warrant was for a search of the home, not for Laurent’s arrest.

Contact reporter Amanda Raymond at 704-797-4222.