Officer who killed teen charged with murder, assault
ADDISON — An offduty suburban Dallas police officer who fatally shot a 16-year-old and wounded another juvenile was arrested Wednesday on charges of murder and aggravated assault, authorities said, while a funeral service for the teen was underway.
Farmers Branch officer Ken Johnson was taken into custody Wednesday night by Addison police officers and was being booked into Dallas County Jail.
The shooting happened Sunday evening at a gas station in Addison.
Officials have said that Johnson saw a vehicle being burglarized in his apartment complex parking lot and that he gave chase when the suspects fled.
After the suspects’ vehicle spun out about a half-mile away, an altercation led to the shooting.
Jose Raul Cruz was killed and the other juvenile, who also was shot, was hospitalized.
Cruz’s family held a funeral Wednesday night, according to Carlos Quintanilla, an activist and self-described spokesman for the family. Johnson’s attorney, Chris Livingston, has said he feared for his life. Livingston could not be immediately reached Wednesday to speak on Johnson’s behalf.
Authorities have not said whether the juveniles were armed.
Johnson was not injured. Addison police Chief Paul Spencer said in a statement Wednesday that therewas “probable cause” to arrest Johnson but that the investigation likely will take several more weeks.
Farmers Branch police spokesman David Laisure declined to comment Wednesday, deferring to Addison police.
Addison Police Chief Paul Spencer previously has said that Johnson had no disciplinary record.
He also noted that department policies do not allow off-duty officers to chase suspects in their own vehicles.
According to the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement, Johnson has worked for Farmers Branch police for a year. He worked as a peace officer for Dallas Area Rapid Transit for almost eight years before that.