| Date | May 13, 2019; 5 years ago (2019-05-13) |
|---|---|
| Location | Baytown, Texas, U.S. |
| Type | Homicide byshooting |
| Deaths | 1 |
| Accused | Juan Delacruz |
| Charges | Aggravatedassault by a public servant |
| Verdict | Not guilty |
On May 13, 2019, an African American woman,Pamela Turner, was shot and killed by a police officer fromBaytown,Texas.[1]
The incident occurred at a parking lot of an apartment complex where both Turner and Officer Juan Delacruz (of the Baytown Police Department), were living at the time[1][2] during an attempt to arrest her foroutstanding warrants.[3]
Video footage of the shooting was captured by a bystander[4] and also by the officer'sbodycam.[3] Police stated the officer was attempting to arrest her for outstanding warrants when she used hisTaser on him;[5] at trial,Texas Ranger Lt. Eric Lopez testified more specifically that she used it on Delacruz’s genitals in the course ofresisting arrest. The bodycam showed the struggle between the two prior to the shooting.[3]
Turner's family said that the woman had suffered fromschizophrenia and that Delacruz was aware of it; a neighbor also said that Turner was mentally unstable, that Delacruz was aware of it, and that he "had arrested her many times" and had used his Taser on her on the most recent occasion.[3]
During the encounter, Turner said to the officer “You’re actually harassing me” and “I’m actually walking to my house”. Just prior to the shooting, she said “I’m pregnant.” The police department confirmed that Turner was not pregnant.[6]
On September 14, 2020, a Harris County grand jury indicted Delacruz with aggravated assault by a public servant.[7][8] In 2021, a jury found Delacruz not guilty.[3]
The family retained national civil rights attorneysBenjamin Crump and Devon Jacob.[9] the family sued Baytown and Delacruz in federal court, but on October 11, 2022, judgeGeorge C. Hanks Jr. dismissed the case.[3]
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