The Texas police officer charged with murder for allegedly shooting an unarmed Black man was fired Thursday, according to officials.
Wolfe City officials said in a statement that Shaun Lucas, 22, was terminated “for an egregious violation of the City’s and police department’s policies.” No further information was provided about Saturday’s deadly shooting or the investigations that resulted in criminal charges and Lucas’ firing.
Lucas is facing murder charges for reportedly shooting Jonathan Price, 31, at a Kwik Check gas station. Witnesses said Price was breaking up a fight between an unidentified couple when he was killed.
Wolfe City police asked Texas Rangers to investigate the controversial officer-related shooting. Lucas was placed on administrative leave a day after the shooting. He was arrested on suspicion of murder charges shortly thereafter.
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.”
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 detailed.
The attorney representing Price’s family said Lucas shot Price as Price convulsed from the electrical current emitted from the Taser.
Conversely, Lucas’ lawyer claimed his client was following the law when he opened fire, describing Price as an “aggressive assailant” who had attempted to take the officer’s Taser.
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,” noting Price “resisted in a non-threatening posture.”
Lucas was reportedly wearing a bodycam at the time of the shooting. Officials have not yet released the footage showing the fatal encounter.
Lucas remains jailed on a $1 million bond.
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[Featured image: Shaun Lucas/Hunt County Jail; Jonathan Price/Facebook]
