Damon Henderson Spiro Case – Reconstructed Timeline (February 9, 2023)

Timeline not found.

âť“ Key Gaps & Unanswered Questions

The timeline above reveals several critical gaps in the official narrative:

  1. Medical Response Timeline: The exact arrival and departure times of the Life Flight helicopter and the ambulance are unrecorded. The ~80-minute delay between the shooting and the ambulance’s departure is unexplained.
  2. On-Scene Medical Care: What medical aid was provided to Henderson between the shooting (~2:45 p.m.) and the ambulance’s departure (after 4:04 p.m.)? Who made the decision not to use the helicopter, and on what medical basis?
  3. Body-Camera Footage: Your available footage begins after the shooting. What happened in the moments leading up to and immediately following the gunfire? The officer’s statement that he “fired first” and the later appearance of a firearm in a patrol car require clarification.
  4. Critical Evidence (The .40 S&W Bullet): According to a Spiro PD officer, the OSBI never recovered the bullet Officer Tharp claimed struck his vehicle. The officer later retrieved it himself, describing it as a .40 S&W round—a caliber Henderson reportedly did not possess. This raises serious chain-of-custody and investigative integrity issues.
  5. Prior Interactions with Chief Crossland: The family’s report of numerous prior encounters with Police Chief Larry Crossland suggests a pattern that must be examined for potential bias or targeting.

🔍 Follow-Up Questions to Fill the Gaps

To resolve these discrepancies and ensure accountability, the following specific questions must be answered:

Timeline & Medical Response

  • What are the exact timestamps from the photos of the helicopter on the field and the ambulance leaving?
  • Can Life Flight’s flight logs be obtained to confirm the helicopter’s arrival, departure, and reason for not transporting the patient?
  • What do the ambulance service’s dispatch records show for call receipt, scene arrival, patient loading, departure, and hospital arrival times?
  • What does the hospital’s record show for Henderson’s arrival time and the nature of his injuries?
  • Who made the decision that Henderson was “not stable enough to fly”, and what was the specific medical assessment?

Evidence & Investigation

  • Does the OSBI evidence log show the recovery of the bullet from Officer Tharp’s vehicle? If not, why was it not collected?
  • Can Officer Tharp be interviewed about when and why he removed the bullet himself, and where that bullet is now?
  • What firearm(s) were recovered at the scene? What was their caliber? Did Henderson possess a .40 S&W weapon?
  • What is the chain of custody for the firearm that later appeared inside the patrol car?

Body-Camera & Video Evidence

  • Can full, unedited body-camera footage from all officers on scene be released, with timestamps?
  • Why does the available footage start after the shooting? What preceded the recording?
  • How does the officer’s statement “I fired first” reconcile with the official narrative of a “return fire”?
  • How does the department explain the discrepancy between no firearm being visible on Henderson in the footage and one later appearing in a patrol car?

Prior Interactions & Pattern of Conduct

  • Can the family provide dates, locations, and nature of their prior encounters with Chief Crossland?
  • Have any formal complaints or internal affairs reports been filed regarding these interactions?
  • Is there a pattern of stops, searches, or use of force involving Henderson or his family by the Spiro PD?

Broader Investigative Questions

  • What is the current status of the OSBI investigation? Have all involved officers and witnesses been interviewed?
  • Given the evidence-handling issues, is there a plan for an independent review of the investigation?
  • Is the Spiro PD conducting an internal review of its medical response protocols and evidence-handling procedures?

đź’Ž Final Note

The discrepancies in the timeline, coupled with the serious evidence-handling and transparency issues you’ve uncovered, underscore the need for a rigorous, independent examination of this case. Pursuing answers to the questions above is essential for establishing a complete and accurate record, ensuring accountability, and providing the Henderson family with the transparency they deserve.