POLICE OFFICER IN TEXAS FIRED AFTER FATAL SHOOTING
White officer faces murder charge in death of Black man
A North Texas police officer who was charged with murder this week after fatally shooting a Black man was fired Thursday, officials announced, days after becoming one of the rare law enforcement officers to face criminal prosecution for shooting and killing someone while on duty.
Shaun Lucas, an officer in Wolfe City, Texas, was responding to a call about a possible disturbance Saturday night at a convenience store when he encountered and killed Jonathan Price, a 31-year-old Black man who was well-known in the small community, authorities said.
The incident drew national attention, with witnesses telling reporters that Price had been trying to break up a fight before Lucas arrived.
On Monday, the Texas Rangers charged Lucas with murder, saying his actions “were not objectively reasonable and, therefore, not justifiable force.” An attorney for Lucas, meanwhile, has defended his actions, saying Price ignored the officer’s orders and tried to grab Lucas’ stun gun.
Since Lucas was charged, his job status had remained unclear, with police and officials in Wolfe City declining to respond to repeated requests for comment about the shooting and whether Lucas remained employed. He has been moved from jail to jail in the community, which officials have also not publicly explained.
A statement released Thursday by the city said that because Lucas was a certified peace officer, Wolfe City “was required to conduct an administrative investigation of Mr. Lucas’s misconduct.” Lucas was terminated from the department that day “for his egregious violation of the City’s and police department’s policies,” the statement said.
The statement did not provide further details about which specific policies he violated. Police and city officials have not responded to multiple requests for the use-of-force policies used by police.
“As the Mayor and Council of Wolfe City we want to extend our gratitude that the gatherings in support of Mr. Price and his family have remained peaceful,” the statement said. “Wolfe City is a tightknit community, and we join you in mourning Jonathan’s death and the events of the last week.”
The statement also noted that many city employees had worked with Lucas and Price. It said Wolfe City and its police force have been cooperating with the Texas Rangers’ investigation and the district attorney’s office.
A probable-cause affidavit in the case made public Wednesday said Lucas was responding to a possible fight at the Kwik Check convenience store when he was greeted there by Price.
Laura Simmons, a Texas Ranger, wrote in the affidavit that the entire encounter was recorded by a bodyworn camera. That footage has not been made public.