A lawyer representing the Texas cop accused of fatally shooting an unarmed Black man Saturday claimed his client’s actions were justified.
Rookie Wolfe police officer Shaun Lucas, 22, is facing murder charges for reportedly shooting Jonathan Price, 31, at a Kwik Check gas station. Witnesses indicated that Price was breaking up a fight between a couple when he was killed.
KXII obtained an arrest warrant which stated that upon Lucas’ arrival to the scene, Price approached him to shake his hand and asked, “You doing good?” Price reportedly also apologized for the broken glass on the ground, explaining that someone had tried to “wrap me up.”
Wolfe City police asked Texas Rangers to investigate the controversial officer-related shooting. Lucas allegedly told Texas Rangers that he believed Price was intoxicated and that Price said, “I can’t be detained” as he tried to detain him.
The affidavit stated that Lucas grabbed Price’s arm and issued verbal commands before brandishing a Taser and ordering Price to comply. Price allegedly did not comply and started to walk away, leading Lucas to deploy his Taser.
“While being Tased, Price continued to walk toward Officer Lucas. Price appeared to grab the end of Officer Lucas’ Taser. Officer Lucas discharged his firearm [a] four[th] time striking Price in the upper torso. Price was later pronounced deceased at Hunt County Regional Hospital,” the document stated, according to KXII.
The attorney defending Lucas, Robert Rogers, previously represented Amber Guyger, the former Dallas police officer who fatally shot Botham Jean in his apartment in 2019. Guyger was ultimately convicted of murder and sentenced to 10 years in prison.
“Officer Lucas only discharged his weapon in accordance with Texas law when he was confronted with an aggressive assailant who was attempting to take his Taser,” Rogers said in a statement issued to the news outlet.
However, in a statement issued to CrimeOnline, the Texas Department of Public Safety said Texas Rangers’ preliminary investigation suggested Lucas’ actions were not “objectionably reasonable.” The agency also said Price “resisted in a non-threatening posture.”
KXII reported that Lucas’ bodycam filmed the deadly encounter. As of Wednesday, the footage has not been released to the public.
Lucas was placed on administrative leave in connection with the shooting. He remains jailed on $1 million bail.
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[Featured image: Shaun Lucas/Hunt County Jail; Jonathan Price/Facebook]
