A preliminary report by the Alabama Bureau of Investigation (ABI) contends that Selma Police Officer Tory Neely was justified in shooting and wounding Mario Jermaine Simmons, 21, of Orrville, Feb. 28, in a Selma altercation that left one man dead.

Neely had been placed on administrative leave &045;&045; a standard procedure in a shooting incident &045;&045; pending the ABI’s finding. According to Selma Police Chief Robert Green, Neely returned to duty March 1

The ABI’s official report will be complete in two-to-three weeks.

Simmons is charged with the murder of Paul Jermaine Mollette of Selma, 21, and recently hired Selma attorney William T. Faile to represent him. His next court appearance will be April 8.

The shooting incident leading to Neely’s administrative leave began around 1:55 a.m. Feb. 28 near the Washington Street Supermarket.

Neely observed Simmons firing a gun at Mollette while chasing him. Neely chased after Simmons and ordered him to drop the gun, but Simmons refused. Neely then fired his own weapon, hitting Simmons in the right leg.