GREENSBORO — A police officer who shot a suspected jewelry store thief after a high-speed chase on Interstate 40 was justified in his action, according to the Guilford County district attorney.

Doug Henderson announced Friday that he had completed his review of the State Bureau of Investigation's probe into the Jan. 23 shooting and found that Officer W.M. Symmes "acted lawfully and reasonably to protect his own life and the lives of others."

Accused of stealing two diamond rings worth $36,200 from Helzberg Diamonds in the Four Seasons Town Centre, Williams subsequently ran from the store, hopped in his black Honda Accord, which the police confirmed as stolen, and fled eastbound down Interstate 40, reaching speeds of up to 100 mph, according to the GPD search warrant.

Off-duty Officer William Symmes was the first to respond and chased Williams down the interstate until Williams eventually lost control of his vehicle in an effort to turn onto the Interstate 85 exit ramp. Williams' vehicle then collided with Symmes' green police-issued SUV, totaling Williams' vehicle.

What followed, according to the warrant, was a "physical altercation" between the two men, in which Williams eventually tried to make his getaway -- this time in the police cruiser. Then Symmes grabbed onto the cruiser as it was pulling away, refusing to let Williams escape.

"Officer Symmes, apparently unable to stop the suspect from dragging him down the highway, drew his duty firearm and shot the suspect once in the neck-head area," the warrant said, according to The News and Record.

But what about the rings? After a thorough search of Williams' vehicle, little was found, other than three North Carolina license plates, a ball cap and a grey sweatshirt. No weapons were found either.

Van Jewell Kantor, Williams' oldest sister, said that because Symmes jumped onto the Tahoe as Williams tried to drive away, the officer put himself into harm's way. Her brother was unarmed and trying to get away, not hurt the police officer, she said.

"We're going to do whatever we have to do to vindicate our brother," she said.

He remained on administrative duty Friday, Newkirk said. Police administrators have yet to decide when Symmes will return to regular duty, as internal administrative procedures remain incomplete, she said. [MORE]