A grand jury will be called in to examine last weekend's shooting death of Jonathan Price in Texas. Hunt County District Attorney Noble Walker has said that the grand jury will be called in to determine whether to indict officer Shaun Lucas once the Texas Rangers complete their investigation.
At approximately 8 p.m. on October 3, Lucas was called to the scene of an altercation between a man and a woman. However, Price had stepped into break up the fight by the time the officer had arrived.
"Mr. Price did not become violent, but there was a male who was aggressive towards a woman," attorney Lee Merritt said
"He intervened, and the situation was resolved before law enforcement arrived," witnesses added.
After arriving of the scene, Lucas attempted to detain Price, but reports claim that Price "resisted in a non-threatening manner." Lucas then tased Price and shot him. Soon thereafter, EMS arrived on the scene and took him to Hunt Regional Hospital where he was pronounced dead.
Two days after the shooting, Lucas was arrested and charged with murder. He is currently being held on a $1 million bond.
In the wake of Price's death, members of his community have come together to celebrate his life and demand justice. One of Price's childhood friends, Will Middlebrook, started an online fundraiser to help cover funeral expenses for his family. Thus far, the campaign has garnered nearly $100,000 in donations.
“Jonathan was a hometown hero. Somebody that everyone knew,” Middlebrook said.
Elsewhere, more than 300 people gathered nearby to hold a vigil for price. There were also reports of demonstrations in Los Angeles and New York that were held in Price's honor.
"This shouldn’t happen to anybody and it happens far too often to unarmed Black men, particularly in North Texas,” attorney Lee Merritt said.
More details will likely be shared regarding Price's death. Next Generation Action Network President Dominique Alexander has said that Wolfe City Mayor Sharion Scott indicated that there is body camera footage of the shooting. It is unclear if it will be released the public.
“Everyone in this community will echo that this shouldn’t have happened to Jonathan, because of the character that he had,” Merritt added.
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