ASU Student Killed in Officer-Involved Shooting Following Burglary

An Angelo State University student soon to begin his sophomore year was shot and killed in an officer-involved shooting early this morning.

According to the Arlington Police Department, officers were dispatched to a burglary call at Classic Buick GMC in the 1400 block of E. Interstate 20 frontage road  at about 1 a.m., Friday, Aug. 7, 2015. 

 Upon arrival at the car dealership, officers found that a vehicle had been driven through the front of the building. Officers established a perimeter and approached the suspect inside. As officers confronted the suspect, there was an altercation during which at least one officer discharged his weapon. The suspect was pronounced dead at the scene. Investigators have determined that the suspect had no weapon. 

The suspect, identified as 19-year-old Christian Taylor, was a red-shirted freshman on the 2014 Angelo State University football team and planned to start again this year on the team, ASU spokeswoman Rebekah Brackin said. The defensive back was 5’9” and weighed 180 pounds, according to the Angelo State University athletics website. He graduated from Mansfield Summit High School in the DFW area. Mansfield is near Arlington.

Independent criminal and administrative investigations will be conducted. The criminal investigation focuses on the use of deadly force. The administrative investigation will review the incident to determine if the officer’s actions were in compliance with the department’s policies and procedures.

 The department does not presently use body worn cameras, but is in the process of implementing a pilot program for body worn camera use. Surveillance video exists at the car dealership. The original 911 call was made from a security company that was observing the suspect on camera outside the business. We are looking at all available video from outside and inside the location to obtain as much information as possible. At this time, investigators have not located any video capturing the shooting. 

[[{"fid":"14215","view_mode":"preview","type":"media","attributes":{"alt":"Arlington (TX) Police Officer Brad Miller. (Contributed/APD)","title":"Arlington (TX) Police Officer Brad Miller. (Contributed/APD)","height":"1200","width":"846","style":"width: 30%; float: left; margin: 0px 20px 20px 0px;","class":"media-element file-preview imgbody"}}]]The officer involved in the shooting was Brad Miller, a 49-year-old officer who has been with the department since September 2014.  Officer Miller has been in field training and working under the supervision of a Police Training Officer since graduating from the Police Academy in March 2015. At this time he has no commendation or discipline history with the department. Prior to joining APD, Officer Miller had no previous police experience. He will be placed on administrative leave as is routine in deadly force incidents. (Left, Arlington (TX) Police Officer Brad Miller. (Contributed/APD))

"The preservation of life and safety is our highest priority. The Arlington Police Department is saddened by this loss of life and will provide the community a clear and transparent investigation," an Arlington Police Department press release stated.