Shock Moment Texas Cop Shoots Black US Army Vet During Mental Health Crisis
These are the shocking moments leading up to the fatal shooting of a black army veteran suffering a mental health crisis.
The footage of the officer-involved fatal shooting was released online after a Texas court ruled not to indict Officer John Rodriguez.
Following the Bexar County grand jury ruling, the officer will not face criminal charges at state level.
The Bexar County Sheriff’s Office subsequently released some of the body-cam footage of the incident online, which has been edited for legal and privacy concerns.
Officer Rodriguez fatally shot the black army veteran in August 2020 following a struggle to disarm Daniels of his loaded gun.
The footage shows the officer and two colleagues tasering the victim numerous times before two gunshots sound as the video ends.
Joe Gonzales, Bexar County District Attorney, said: “The death of Mr Daniels was tragic. This country needs to do a better job of helping those in mental health crisis.
“We have reviewed the video with the Daniels family and have informed them of the Grand Jury’s decision. As I have stated in the past, every officer-involved shooting in Bexar County resulting in serious injury or death will be decided by a Grand Jury.”
Two weeks ago, activists and members of the victim’s family protested outside the Bexar County Courthouse, demanding that a grand jury hears the case and that police officers should not be the first responders in mental health incidents reported to 911.
The police said a memo detailing the facts of the decision will be shared on the website of the Bexar County Civil Rights Division on Tuesday.
The victim’s brother Brendan Daniels said the family will release a statement soon, adding: “We are taking this time to reflect and work on our next move with proceeding forward with Damian’s case.”