Another family ripped apart by police brutality. There was absolutely no justification for this murder. We demand justice! #InjusticeInHD pic.twitter.com/XsL0cDxQ1L
— S. Lee Merritt, Esq. (@MeritLaw) April 30, 2017
The former Dallas Police Officer who shot and killed Jordan Edwards, a 15-year-old high school freshman, has been indicted on one murder count and four counts of aggravated assault by a public servant in connection with the April shooting, CBS News reports.
Dallas County District Attorney Faith Johnson announced the indictment of Roy Oliver on Monday. "I think our police officers would stand with us and say, 'We do not condone bad behavior,'" she said. "Hopefully, it is a message we are sending to the bad police officers. If you do wrong, we will prosecute you." Jones added that the indictment of Oliver, a white male, is not a "political statement."
The shooting took place at a house party, where Oliver and another officer were responding to reports of drunk teenagers. Oliver fired multiple rounds into a car carrying Edwards, his two brothers, and two friends as they were trying to drive away from the party. One bullet struck Edwards, who was riding in the front passenger seat of the car. He died at the hospital from gunshot injuries.
Immediately following the shooting, Balch Springs Police Chief Jonathan Haber claimed that the car was moving "aggressively" towards Oliver and the officer, but body cam footage showed the vehicle trying to leave the party. Oliver was fired from the department shortly after the shooting and arrested for murder in May.