The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) of Texas demanded an investigation into the incident in which an African American was shot and killed in front of his family in Killeen, Texas.
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This week a surveillance video was released by the lawyer for the man’s family, who are now seeking for the officer involved to be charged for his death.
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“The Warren murder is part of the deadly and disturbing pattern of excessive force, disproportionately directed at African Americans, when they find themselves in the middle of a mental health crisis. Patrick Warren Sr. deserves justice. The Killeen Police Department knew beforehand that Mr. Warren was experiencing a mental health crisis, ”said Sarah Labowitz, director of policy and advocacy for the ACLU of Texas.
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As shown in the video, shared on social networks by civil rights lawyer Lee Merritt, it is seen how the officer identified by the Killeen Reynaldo Contreras Police arrives at the residence. Seconds later, Warren is seen leaving his home and walking towards the officers despite being ordered to stop.
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Then the sound of what appears to be the impact of an electric weapon is heard. In another shot of the video, it is seen when the man continues not to follow the orders of the officer and in the same way the desperate screams of relatives. However, although the family asked officers not to shoot, Officer Contreras fired on several occasions. According to the lawyer representing Warren’s family, the emergency call would have been to ask for help with a mental crisis he was going through and not for the services of the Killeen Police.
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“There is no reason why a mental health call like this should result in death. Warren was not aggressive. Warren was not armed. He was at his house; it was on his lawn. It was his right to refuse the services of the forces of order after his arrival “, the attorney said at Thursday’s press conference.
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“The Warren murder comes at a critical time for police accountability in Texas. We must pass the George Floyd Act, improve officer training and accountability, and ensure that trained mental health professionals, not police officers, are on the front line of mental health calls, ”Labowitz said.
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