13 May, 2017
The Balch Springs Police Department, Texas, USA, on Tuesday dismissed the police officer who shot at a vehicle and killed an unarmed African-American teenager last weekend.
While police initially said the auto was driving "aggressively towards the officer", prompting the shot, Haber recanted that account Monday after viewing officer body camera video that authorities said showed that the vehicle was driving away from the officers.
Officer Roy Oliver of the Balch Springs Police department in suburban Dallas fired at a vehicle Jordan Edwards was riding in with his two brothers and friends.
Speaking at a press conference late Tuesday following an internal investigation, Balch Springs Police Chief Johnathan Haber confirmed that Roy Oliver's employment had been terminated following the shooting.
On Monday, Police Chief Jonathan Haber said body camera footage showed the auto was driving forward, away from the officers - not reversing toward them. The Dallas County Sheriff's Office and District Attorney's Office are now investigating the shooting death of 15-year-old Jordan Edwards on Saturday, April 29. As their vehicle moved away, the officer fired his rifle into the front passenger's side window, striking Edwards, Merritt said.
We anxiously await this officer's identification and arrest for the crime of murder. Oliver spotted the auto carrying Edwards, his two brothers and two other teens.
Haber said Tuesday that Oliver, with the department since 2011, has a chance to appeal his termination.
In its revised account of that night, the department said officers arrived on the scene "and discovered a large party" that, according to the Morning News, included about 100 teens, some of whom were blocking driveways outside.
Based on what the video captured, Haber said previously that he questioned whether what he saw was "consistent with the policies and core values" of his department. As the family prepares for the funeral, they said they don't condone any violence toward Balch Springs police or other law enforcement agencies. One officer fired a rifle into the vehicle as it was driving away from the party. The case will then be handed over to the Dallas County District Attorney's office.
Edwards's death has drawn comparisons on social media to police shootings of other young black men in recent years, and Facebook and Twitter users have taken up the hashtag #JordanEdwards.
"Our family is working hard to deal with both the loss of our beloved Jordan and the lingering trauma it has caused our boys", a family statement said.
Haber said the department would continue to be transparent as the investigation into Oliver's actions progresses.
Edwards' family wants the officer arrested and charged, said attorney S. Lee Merritt.
"The past 67 hours have been challenging for all us", Haber said. They didn't have alcohol or weapons, Merritt said.
"We shouldn't have to have an out-of-town marshal come in", Wright said.
Haber declined to confirm whether any shots were confirmed to have been fired or whether the boys in the auto were armed, citing the ongoing investigation.
