Officer’s Name released in Seneca Officer-involved Shooting

At 5:50pm Friday afternoon, Seneca Police Chief John Covington issued a press release regarding the officer-involved shooting on July 26. Pursuant to Freedom of Information Act requests, Chief Covington released the original report and the name of the officer involved in the shooting at the Hardee’s off Bypass 123 in Seneca. “Lt. Mark Tiller is listed as the victim of attempted murder in the report. Lt. Tiller is a 10-year veteran of law enforcement and has been employed by the Seneca Police Department since January 2010. During this time, he has had no disciplinary personnel actions. The shooting of 19-year-old Zachary Hammond remains an active and ongoing SLED investigation with subsequent review by 10th Judicial Circuit Solicitor Chrissy Adams,” said Chief Covington. John M. Mussetto, the attorney representing Lt. Tiller released this statement on behalf of his client. “On the evening of July 26, 2015, Lt. Mark Tiller, a 10-year veteran in law enforcement and a member of the K-9 Division, responded to a drug deal that was to be made with an undercover Seneca Police Narcotics Agent in the back of the Hardee’s parking lot. Upon arrival with blue lights activated, Lt. Tiller stepped out of his vehicle and approached Mr. Hammond’s car. Lt. Tiller ordered Mr. Hammond to show his hands, which were being concealed. Rather than abide by this order, Mr. Hammond rapidly reversed his vehicle towards Lt. Tiller’s patrol vehicle. Mr. Hammond then rapidly accelerated in the direction of Lt. Tiller, forcing him to push off Mr. Hammond’s car to keep from being struck and run over. In order to stop the continuing threat to himself and the public, two shots were fired by Lt. Tiller in quick succession. If not for Lt. Tiller’s quick reflexes and his ability to push off the car, Lt. Tiller would have easily been run over by Mr. Hammond. A white powdery substance consistent with powder cocaine was found by the coroner on Mr. Hammond’s person and was taken as evidence by SLED. Since this incident, Lt. Tiller has cooperated with SLED agents and the 10th Circuit Solicitor’s Office,” stated Mussetto. The Seneca Police Department will release no further information until the investigation has been completed.