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Sunday, March 21, 2010   60º F

Updated 10/15/2009 05:20 PM

Alcohol, depression factors in death of UNC student

By: Ilin Chen

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RALEIGH -- An autopsy report released Thursday by the state medical examiner’s office shows that alcohol and depression were contributing factors in the death of a University of North Carolina fraternity president who was fatally shot by Archdale police.

Courtland Smith documents

Click here to view the autopsy report, and click here to view the medical examiner's report of investigation.

For information on counseling through UNC, visit the Campus Health Services Web site.

Officers shot 21-year-old Courtland Smith during a traffic stop Aug. 23 in Randolph County. Police say Smith, who had called 911 while driving down Interstate 85, made a suggestive motion toward his pocket, which they interpreted as a move to pull a gun.

According to the report, Smith’s blood-alcohol level was nearly three times the legal limit and he was shot four times -- once in the lower abdomen, the left thigh, the upper back and a fourth bullet passed through his left forearm into his upper abdomen.

The medical examiner's report indicates that Smith had talked to friends about suicide before and on the day he died. He told the 911 operator he had been drinking, had a handgun and was thinking about suicide.

The autopsy also lists what was recovered from the scene of the shooting and it does not appear that Smith had a handgun, as he had indicated.

The State Bureau of Investigation is looking into the shooting, a routine procedure when an officer is involved.