WOLFE CITY, TX -- A Wolfe City police officer has been charged with murder after shooting a black man outside a convenience store. According to law enforcement, the officer's actions were not reasonable.
Saturday night Jonathan Price was at the store when he encountered a domestic disturbance.
Witnesses told local media outlets that Price was attempting to break up the fight when the officer arrived.
According to the Texas Rangers, when Officer Shaun Lucas arrived at the scene, he reported Price was involved in the disturbance and that he "resisted in a non-threatening posture and began walking away."
Lucas first stunned Price with a taser and then shot him. Even though Price was transported to the hospital for treatment he ultimately succumbed to his injuries.
Police have released few official details but they did provide the following statement.
"The preliminary investigation indicates that the actions of Officer Lucas were not objectionably reasonable.
In response to the shooting, civil rights attorney Lee Merritt posted the following message.
"When police arrived, I'm told, he raised his hands and attempted to explain what was going on. Police fired Tasers at him and when his body convulsed from the electrical current, they 'perceived a threat' and shot him to death."
Price has been described as a "hometown hero" and was a city employee. He was well known in his community and played football at Hardin-Simoons Univesity in 2008.
Coach Jesse Burleson reacted to the news on Twitter.
Former Major League Baseball third baseman Will Middlebrooks reacted to the news on Facebook. According to Middlebrooks, he and Price grew up together.
"See this face? This is the face of one of my childhood friends. The face of my first ever favorite teammate. The face of a good man. But unfortunately, it’s the face of a man whose life was taken away from him last night with his hands in the air, while a small-town East Texas cop shot him dead. Why? Bc he was trying to break up a fight at a gas station... for some reason he was singled out. I’ll let you do the math. There’s no excuses this time...”he was a criminal”... Nope, not this time. “He resisted arrest, just comply with the cops”.. Nope that one doesn’t work this time either. This was purely an act of racism. Period. So, for all of you that think this is all bullshit, you need to check yourselves.
"I’m sick. I’m heartbroken... and I’m furious. Love you, JP. See you when I see you bro."
According to DPS, Lucas, who is 22, was booked into the Hunt County Jail on Monday night. His bond has been set at $1 million
Johnathan Price (l) and (r) Memorial set up for Price in Wolfe City. (Contributed/KTXS)
Jonathan Price (L) and Shaun Lucas (R) (Contributed/KTXS)
Subscribe to the LIVE! Daily
Required
Post a comment to this article here: