Accident – Death – Obituary News :

Mesquite Police Release Video of Deadly Shooting Involving Armed 19-Year-Old

MESQUITE, Texas – Mesquite police have released video footage of a fatal shooting involving a 19-year-old man who was armed last week.

Background of the Incident

The incident occurred on December 14 in the early morning hours on Cartwright Road. The video shows a silver Hyundai sedan being followed by a Chrysler sedan, with a Mesquite police vehicle trailing behind. At this point, the patrol officer was unaware that the Hyundai had been reported stolen.

The Hyundai and Chrysler turned into a 7-Eleven convenience store. The officer continued driving past the store until a nearby resident called 911, reporting that their silver Hyundai had just been stolen. Upon receiving this information, the officer returned to the 7-Eleven and noticed that the driver of the Hyundai was no longer in the vehicle.

Surveillance footage reveals that the driver had entered the store with a passenger from the Chrysler. As the officer approached the Chrysler, both suspects came out of the store and attempted to flee when instructed to get on the ground. The officer focused his attention on the four individuals inside the Chrysler, particularly the driver.

The officer repeatedly shouted commands at the driver, urging him to shut off the car and not to move. Despite the officer’s warnings, the driver ignored the commands and attempted to escape by putting the car into reverse and then back into drive. In response, the officer fired shots at the driver, ultimately resulting in his death. The vehicle continued to roll forward even after the driver was shot.

Expert Analysis

Following the release of the footage, Alex Del Carmen, associate dean of criminology and criminal justice at Tarleton State University, provided his expert analysis. Del Carmen emphasized that the officer was engaging in verbal commands that were repeatedly ignored by the driver. He explained that if the driver had simply backed away without posing a threat, the officer would not have been justified in using lethal force. However, when the officer perceived the driver shifting the car towards him, he had to consider whether his life and the lives of others were in immediate danger.

Investigation and Public Response

Mesquite PD has chosen not to identify the officer involved in the shooting. Additionally, they have decided not to hold a press conference to answer questions, opting instead to release a pre-recorded statement. Sergeant Curtis Phillip of Mesquite PD stated in the video release that no conclusions should be drawn regarding whether the officer acted within department policies and the law until all the facts are known and the investigation is complete.

Weapons were found inside the Chrysler, indicating a potential threat posed by the occupants. The deceased driver has been identified as 19-year-old Payton Lawrence. Civil rights attorney Lee Merritt is representing Lawrence’s family and has expressed his belief that there was no justification for the use of deadly force in this incident.

Mesquite PD is currently conducting a use of force investigation, which will be forwarded to the Dallas County District Attorney’s Office for review. The DA’s office is also conducting its own investigation to ensure a thorough examination of the incident.

Police have confirmed that the Hyundai was stolen, and Lawrence had an outstanding warrant for aggravated assault at the time of the shooting.

A group of protesters gathered outside the Mesquite Police Department prior to the release of the video, highlighting the public’s concern over the use of force in this case.

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