Shooting of Patrick Warren, Texas

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Patrick Warren was shot and killed by a Killeen, Texas police officer on Jan. 10, 2021

Patrick Warren Sr., 52, died Sunday after being shot by Killeen Police Officer Reynaldo Contreras outside his home in Killeen, Texas. The husband and father-of-three was allegedly shot three times in the chest while unarmed. Warren Sr.'s death marks just the latest cop killing of a black man across US.[1]

Killeen Police Officer Reynaldo Contreras. Source: dailymail.co.uk. C Ring.com
Patrick Warren Sr., 52, unarmed shot in his lawn. Source: dailymail.co.uk. C Ring.com

Incident

The shooting happened Sunday just before 5:30 p.m. when the family of Patrick Warren Sr., a Black man, called police to ask that a mental health professional be sent to the home.[2] The family actually asking for psychiatrist help for Patrick Warren Sr. mental health emergency but the police officer came instead who was "was not prepared to handle a mental health crisis". This surprised the family because they weren't told that no healthcare professional is available.

In a video of the incident apparently captured by the family’s Ring doorbell, Police officer Reynaldo Contreras seen arriving at Warren’s house, ringing the doorbell and speaking to someone before walking away from the camera. Contreras was asked to leave by the family because of Contreras' demeanor to Warren's family was hostile. Not long after, Contreras returned to Warren's house and knocked, Warren Sr. eventually steps out of the house waving both his hands in the air, unarmed. He walks toward the officer and they both step out of the frame.

Next, family members emerge from the house because of infrared beam from a taser on the door which concerned the family members. "By the time we made it outside, my father was on the ground, and that's where everything kind of took place", Warren Jr. said in an interview. One of family member says, “Don’t shoot him, don’t shoot him!” Seconds later, gunshots ring out. Several people on the front steps cry out, “No, no!” and one says, “I told you don’t use a gun, I told you!”. After using a Taser on Warren, which the report said was “ineffective,” Contreras shot him, killing him.[3] Warren died at Carl R. Darnall Army Medical Center from his injuries.[4]

Looking for Justice

In a press conference Thursday, the family’s attorney, Lee Merritt, called for the officer who shot Warren, Reynaldo Contreras, to be arrested and prosecuted. “There’s no reason that a mental health call like this should result in a fatality,” Merritt said. “Mr. Warren was not aggressive, Mr. Warren was not armed, he was in his home, on his lawn. He was within his rights to reject the services of law enforcement after they arrived”[3] "Their responsibility was simply to leave or send the appropriate personnel to deal with this particular crisis. They failed this family in every way and it’s left them shattered.”

'A mental health call should not be a death sentence,' Merritt said in a statement. It is not clear if Contreras has had any mental health training. Merritt is also demanding Killeen Police Department release bodycam footage of the shooting and that Contrera's photo is released to the public.[1]

Warren's wife, Bobbie, said her husband had lost his job at a local plant because of the coronavirus pandemic. He had started a landscaping business so he could provide for his family. "Patrick was a loving husband, father and devoted man of God. As we deal with the pain of his sudden loss we are asking the community to join us in honoring his name and demanding justice," she said in a statement shared by her attorney.[2]

Public Reaction

A rally was held outside of the Killeen police headquarters Thursday demanding justice for the 52-year-old black man and for change in how mental health situations are handled by authorities. The demonstration was led by the Killeen group Brothers and Sisters Against Community Crime. One community member at the rally told CBS Local they wanted to show 'this will not be tolerated in our community. You will not get away with killing this man on his property.'[1]

Investigation

Killeen Police Chief Charles Kimble said there would be a thorough investigation into the shooting. The police department is also conducting a separate Internal Affairs investigation.

"This incident is rightfully of great concern to the community. As Killeen Police Chief, it is my duty to ensure a thorough investigation is conducted so that all parties, including the public, have the answers they seek. There are many more facts in this case that are not publicly available at this time," he said in a statement. "I assure you that more information will be made available as soon as appropriate, and I ask for your patience as both investigations proceed."[2]

Contreras is on administrative leave and the Texas Rangers are investigating the shooting, the Killeen Police Department said. The family is calling for Bell County District Attorney Henry Garza to conduct an independent investigation.

The Texas Rangers, which is handling the investigation into the shooting, said that any additional information will be "coordinated by the District Attorney’s Office and the Killeen Police Department."

External Link

News from CBS

References

  1. 1.0 1.1 1.2 Sharp, Rachel. Family of unarmed black man shot dead by Texas cop called to help with his mental health crisis release footage of the killing and call for officer to be arrested. dailymail.co.uk. 15 January 2021. Retrieved February 1, 2021.
  2. 2.0 2.1 2.2 Burke, Minyvonne. Texas man fatally shot by police during mental health check, family calls for officer's arrest. NBC News. 15 January 2021. Retrieved February 1, 2021.
  3. 3.0 3.1 Ruiz-Grossman, Sarah. Patrick Warren Needed Help, But Police Killed Him. His Family Wants Justice.. Huff Post. 14 January 2021. Retrieved February 1, 2021.
  4. Hice, Jim. GRAPHIC VIDEO | As family watches, video shows moments before and after officer shoots unarmed Killeen man. kcentv.com. 13 January 2021. Retrieved February 1, 2021.