On April 29, Black, unarmed 15-year-old Jordan Edwards became the 386th person this year killed by police when he was gunned down by an officer in Balch Springs, Texas. The family of the straight-A student-athlete, who played high school football, continues to look for answers.
Reports indicate the incident occurred when officers were called to a house party where there was allegedly underage drinking with approximately 100 people and gunshots rang out. Officers initially said a vehicle backed down the street toward them with Edwards in the car along with two of his brothers and two friends. Officer Roy Oliver fired three rifle rounds in the car, striking Edwards in the head and killing him. He was pronounced dead at a local hospital.
After reviewing body cam footage, Police Chief Jonathan Haber said that he “misspoke” when he initially said that the car Edwards was in was coming toward police.
“I was unintentionally incorrect yesterday when I said that the victim’s vehicle was backing down the road,” he said. “The vehicle then pulled forward as the officer continued to approach the vehicle giving verbal commands. The vehicle continued the main roadway driving away from the officer as an officer shot into the vehicle striking the passenger.”
Oliver, a six-year veteran of the Balch Springs Police Department, was reportedly fired over the shooting; however, Edward’s family is calling for criminal charges. His death is being ruled a homicide.
“Jordan was a loving child, with a humble and sharing spirit. The bond that he shared with his family, particularly his siblings, was indescribable,” Edward’s family said in a statement. “While our family attempts to cope with our loss, we ask at this time the community please refrain from protests and marches in Jordan’s and our family’s name as we prepare for his funeral.”
As more information comes out about what exactly happened, the world is learning more about the Black high school freshman who many say was an example to his peers. Edwards had no criminal record and was destined to be a star athlete at Mesquite High School.
Speaking to the media, the family’s attorney, Lee Merritt, said the family is demanding transparency and action from the Dallas County District Attorney’s office.
“We are declaring war on that police,” he said. “This has happened far too often. We are tired of making the same rhetorical demands, of making the same hashtags. Our community is fed up with the same tired excuses, once again offered by Balch Springs Police Department yesterday. This was somehow the fault of the victims—teenage kids, with no criminal records, with no motive to attempt to hurt anyone, with no evidence that they attempted to hurt anyone.”
