Charges Against Dad Who Shot at SWAT Team During Raid During Which Cops Injured His Baby Have Been Dropped

Corey Marioneaux Jr., 24, is a father of two and a devout churchgoer who protected his family from armed attackers. Marioneaux was charged with the attempted murder of a law enforcement officer, however, since the invaders were police. He was entirely blameless.

Fortunately, justice has won, and the State Attorney's Office announced its decision not to pursue Marioneaux on criminal charges because he acted in self-defence and they could not establish that he was aware the invaders were officers.

"State Attorney Ginger Bowden Madden announces that no criminal charges will be filed against Corey Marioneaux Jr. for a gunshot incident that happened on February 3rd, 2022, during the legitimate execution of a search warrant at his property," the announcement claimed.

"We are relieved that prosecutors today chose to dismiss all charges against Corey Marioneaux, Jr.," Marioneaux's lawyers stated in a statement. "Had officers with the Pensacola Police Department taken a minute to assess the issue completely, he would not have been detained in the first place. Mr. Marioneaux is entirely innocent and deserves to have his record expunged and his reputation restored."

Fortunately, no one was murdered during the early morning raid in which police used a battering ram to bust down Marioneaux's front door and barge into his living room. However, had this father of two really murdered one of the invaders, he would have been justified in doing so since Marioneaux was sleeping in his bed with his two children, ages 1 and 3.

As previously reported, police said they "knocked" on his home door for 10 seconds, yet the majority of people are still sleeping at this hour, making it relatively simple to miss them.

Though the banging did not awaken him, Marioneaux sprang to his feet, grabbed his revolver, and defended his family as his door was broken in with a ram. He would fire one shot at the armed invaders who were breaking into his house, but his shot was blocked by one of the officer's shields.

"After a thorough examination of the case, it has been found that there is insufficient evidence to demonstrate beyond a reasonable doubt that Marioneaux was aware he was shooting at a police officer. "Knowledge is a necessary component of the felony," the State Attorney's Office noted in a statement.

Police retaliated and, fortunately, missed as well. When Marioneaux realised the intruders were cops, he immediately laid down the pistol, raised his hands, surrendered, and profusely apologised. No one was harmed, and the police report corroborated the preceding story.

"While being arrested, Marioneaux made spontaneous statements to [the detective] expressing his regret," the police report stated. "Marioneaux also expressed his regret for shooting at officers in front of [the sergeant]."

Marioneaux should have been released immediately because it was clearly a mistake to fire on the officers and because he was not the subject of the warrant. Nevertheless, he was not. Rather than that, he was charged with three counts of Attempting to Murder a Law Enforcement Officer.

Marioneaux's 1-year-old son was injured during the raid, and an internal investigation is underway.

Police then took Marioneaux's children after arresting him for the non-crime of defending his children. While the children were in police custody, they summoned Moiya Dixon, who shares custody with Marioneaux. However, before Dixon arrived, an officer allegedly dropped the 1-year-old on his face, causing severe trauma.

"I get out of my car as if to say, 'Where is my baby?' Where is my infant?'" Dixon remarked. "And I pick up my kid and see his face — which is virtually unrecognisable in comparison to how he appeared when I last left him."

After the infant was dumped, EMS was sent to the site, but cops urged EMS to leave in what looked to be a cover-up.

According to authorities, the youngster was resting against the cruiser's door when it was opened, resulting in the kid falling out. After Dixon regained custody of her children, she took the 1-year-old to the hospital to be treated for his injuries.

"We are now focused on determining how Mr. Marioneaux's one-year-old infant son was dumped on his head and suffered significant injuries during this bungled raid," Marioneaux's attorney said after the decision to dismiss the charges.

"Our goal is that the Pensacola Police Department would respond immediately and accurately with information about how and why this happened. We will not relinquish our efforts until this information is made public and those guilty for this heinous chain of events are brought to justice."