PONTIAC, Mich. (WXYZ) — A deputy at the Oakland County Sheriff's Office is off the job and facing criminal charges after prosecutors say he carelessly opened fire and injured a pregnant teenage girl during a traffic stop.
Deputy Christopher Cadotte is a 20-year veteran with the Oakland County Sheriff’s Office. He now faces as many as two years behind bars after that traffic stop gone wrong. According to prosecutors, back on March 9, the deputy shot at a 15-year-old driver as he tried to drive away.
Instead, the 16-year-old passenger was struck in the shoulder. Attorney Wolf Mueller, who represents the victim’s family, says the shooting was not defensible.
“You learn that you never put your finger on the trigger, unless you intend to pull it, as a veteran of the force he knew that.” Mueller said.
However, Deanna Kelley, the lawyer representing Cadotte, is also responding to what happened that morning at the intersection of Bagley and Arthur in Pontiac.
“This was an accident and not criminal. He has dedicated his career to public safety, and we look forward to the facts coming to light.” Kelley said.
Cadotte remains free on $25,000 personal bond and is due back in court June 16. A lawsuit will likely be filed in the next few weeks, according to Mueller.
