A grand jury on Thursday charged 34-year-old David Whitlock with second-degree assault and first-degree wanton endangerment. Whitlock is scheduled for arraignment Feb. 6.

The charges stem from the November of 43-year-old Tammy Ortiz. Police said Whitlock approached Ortiz to question her about shoplifting and shot her has she drove away, The Courier-Journal reported.

Constables are constitutional officers endowed with peace officer powers, but are not required to be screened nor trained before or after taking office.

In 2002, Whitlock entered an Alford plea - maintaining his innocence but conceding that enough evidence to convict him - to theft charges. He entered a diversion program. His record was expunged.

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