Report sheds light on why West Palm Beach officer shot 20-year-old Dimitri Smalls

Dimitri Smalls is technically in police custody while he recuperates from gunshot wounds to his torso at St. Mary’s Medical Center. Though he has been unable to make a first appearance hearing, he is being held without bail.

According to the report, Officer Phillip Williams was dispatched to the 1800 block of North Congress Avenue to reports of a suspicious person. Williams said in the report that he walked up to Smalls and asked him why he was there.

Williams said Smalls was there to see his aunt, though he “did not know the address,” the report states. He said he then asked Smalls if he had any weapons on him, and walked closer to Smalls in an effort to “frisk him for safety reasons” — which is when Smalls took off.

As he chased Smalls, Williams said he saw Smalls run with both his hands in the front of his waistband. At some point, Smalls fell and a black gun fell.

“Williams stated Smalls then sat up in a seated position facing him,” the report said. “Smalls then began reaching for the weapon that fell to the ground.”

Despite multiple commands to stop moving forward, Williams said Smalls continued to do so. That is when Williams fired his gun, according to the report. At least one bullet hit Smalls, allowing time for Williams to take the gun.

The report adds that Smalls was treated for non-life threatening injuries at St. Mary’s Medical Center.

Smalls is facing charges of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon and carrying a concealed firearm.