New Orleans police officer Joshua Colclough shot dead unarmed 20-year-old Wendell Allen with a single bullet to the chest during a marijuana raid in the Gentilly neighbourhood on the evening of 7 March 2012.[1][2] Officers of the 3rd District narcotics unit had forced their way into Allen’s home with a search warrant issued after a days-long marijuana-dealing investigation.[1][2] Five children aged between 1 and 14 were inside, and family members said officers held guns to the children’s faces as they entered.[1]

What police found

Officers said they recovered marijuana along with bags, digital scales and a handgun from the house, and arrested two men for possession with intent to distribute.[1] The first account put the haul at about five ounces; later accounts settled on 4.5 ounces (about 128 grams).[1][3] No weapon was found on Allen.[2]

Indictment

In August 2012 a state grand jury indicted Colclough on one count of manslaughter, rejecting a second-degree murder charge, after he failed to appear at a hearing where he had been expected to plead guilty to negligent homicide.[3][2] He turned himself in for booking the next day.[2]