Attorneys and family of Corey Jones, an African-American man killed by South Florida police last weekend, said Thursday they have received a few answers about the shooting that occurred while Jones was stranded on an interstate after his SUV had broken down. Huntsberger met Jones on an exit ramp near I-95, where he’d pulled off. Huntsberger brought him a few oil, to no avail. “They’re not accurate on the measurement at this time, from the vehicle”, said Crump, who added the gun was found somewhere between Jones’ body and his auto.
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At a press conference with Jones’ family, Crump explained that Jones had legally purchased a firearm because he was a drummer and was often paid in cash after late night gigs.
Crump said the scene of Jones’ shooting was “surrounded by businesses with surveillance video”, and that a nearby streetlight also had a video camera. I have money that I am dealing with. “We routinely exchange information with FDLE and our working relationship with FDLE continues to be strong”, Aronberg said in a prepared statement.
Jones was shot about 3:15 a.m. Sunday after his Hyundai Santa Fe broke down near Interstate 95 and PGA Boulevard. On his way home toBoynton Beach, Jones’ SUV broke down near an interchange on I-95. Jones was having vehicle trouble and called his bandmate and friend, Matthew Huntsberger, to help him with his auto.
Palm Beach Gardens police Officer Nouman Raja believed it was an abandoned auto and stopped to investigate, according to authorities.
The plainclothes officer fired six shots, three of which hit Jones – including one that struck his aorta – the attorneys said. The police have declined to say how many times the officer fired his weapon, whether words were exchanged or whether Mr. Jones was pointing his weapon. Raja’s van didn’t have a dashboard camera and the department’s officers do not wear body cameras, the chief said.
A Palm Beach County Sheriff’s deputy keeps watch over the home of Palm Beach Gardens police Officer Nouman Raja, Wednesday, October 21, 2015, in Lake Worth, Fla.
Prominent civil rights attorney Benjamin Crump is representing Jones’ family. “So there are serious questions about plain clothes police officers and their interactions with the public”, said Park.
Police have not said what caused the confrontation between the men or whether Jones knew that Raja was a police officer.
Melissa Jones, sister of Corey Jones, weeps at a press conference on the steps of the West Palm Beach Courthouse on Thursday, October 22, 2015.
Jones spoke to his brother Clinton Jones Jr.by cellphone at 2:52 am Sunday and said he didn’t need a ride because he was planning to have his auto towed, according to Crump. After a failed jumpstart, Jones was waiting for a tow-truck to arrive.
It’s unclear if Raja ever alerted dispatchers about his stop or let Jones know he is an officer. The family has said they were not informed about his death until the next afternoon. “He doesn’t know if he’s about to be mugged, if he’s about to be robbed, if he’s about to be killed. Never. This is not like him”. “… No disrespect about Black Lives Matter, (but) all lives matter”. “This is not a black thing. I didn’t see color”.
Jones father, Clinton Jones St., called for people to “keep the beat alive for Corey”. “Nobody understands how this could happen to Corey Jones”. “My brother was all for protection”, she said. Why is my son gone today? Why? He describes his son as responsible and giving and told of his passion for drumming. “Chief, get out there and tell the public what is going on”. “I heard something tapping and it was him inside beating on the pots and pans”.
“They want answers. They want justice. Keep his memory alive because he was a great guy”. One of Jones’ practice drum kits was set up on the stage.
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“We felt like it was best that we make sure the accommodations were there so people would be comfortable and that it would be peaceful, and it certainly was”, he said. “As we now know, he’s body was not found at the vehicle”.
