An Arlington area high school grad, Taylor was a sophomore defensive back on the Angelo State University football team and was planning on returning to school on Sunday.
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The shooting has gained escalating attention on social media nationwide. At one point, Taylor allegedly kicked out the windshield of one of the cars on the lot.
An investigation will be conducted.
Mr Johnson mentioned the current climate during the news conference, noting that “our nation has been wrestling with the topics of social injustice, inequities, racism and police misconduct” and that his department would “pledge to act in a transparent manner”.
Taylor was shot during a struggle after the unarmed 19-year-old crashed a auto through the glass of a showroom window at a vehicle dealership, according to police. A struggle ensued and Taylor was shot by officer Brad Miller, a 49-year-old who has been working under the supervision of a training officer.
Where the gunshots came in the sequence of events is unclear, Johnson said, and Miller has yet to be interviewed by investigators.
Johnson told reporters that the officers spotted Taylor in the building and believed a felony burglary was in progress. The other officer used his Taser. Miller fired at Taylor four times and hit him at least twice, according to Johnson. They later reported finding a gate slightly open.
This photo provided by the Arlington Police Department shows police officer Brad Miller. He’s been placed on administrative leave, which is standard for these situations, according to The Dallas Morning News. Miller did not have any injuries, Johnson said.
The Tarrant County Medical Examiner’s Office identified the suspect, who died at the scene, as Christian Taylor.
An Arlington police sergeant had told the local station that officers in the Dallas suburb do not have body cams.
“If this [shooting] was not justified there will be consequences”, he said.
“The facts available today do not answer all questions or alleviate all concerns”, Arlington Police Chief Will Johnson said during a news conference.
Christian Taylor had “no real problems”, his father added.
The men said that within the last month, Taylor had developed a deeper spiritual side and had committed himself to the church.
Arlington police released a statement about Taylor’s death Friday afternoon.
When the crowd released balloons filled with messages for his brother, Josh Taylor was overcome with emotion, wailing and crying. It shows Taylor at the dealership before the police arrive. “The original 911 call was made from a security company that was observing the suspect on camera outside the business”. He completed that sentence and the case was dismissed. The fatal shooting marked his first time shooting his service weapon while on duty, Johnson said.
“The department is sad for the loss of this life”, Arlington Police Department spokesman Sgt.
He has no disciplinary history or commendations, the department said.
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This photo provided by Angelo State University shows Christian…
