Middlebrooks raises more than $90,000 for family of friend shot, killed by police
Liberty-Eylau graduate and former professional baseball player Will Middlebrooks has raised more than $90,000 for a childhood friend who was fatally shot by a police officer in Wolfe City, Texas.
Jonathan Price, who Middlebrooks called “a community leader and mentor,” was walking away from Wolfe City Police Officer Shaun Lucas when Lucas allegedly opened fire Saturday night, killing Price, according to law enforcement officials.
As of Tuesday afternoon, Middlebrook’s GoFundMe fundraiser had brought in $91,824 of its $100,000 goal.
“Jonathan will be missed by everyone whose life he touched,” Middlebrooks said on his fundraiser page. “He always looked for ways to help others, so to honor his passion for giving back, we are currently in the process of establishing a Memorial Fund in Jonathan’s name.’ “May his legacy last forever.” Wolfe City was Middlebrook’s hometown before moving to Texarkana.
According to a statement, Lucas, a white police officer, responded to a disturbance call on Saturday night following a report of a possible fight. He encountered Price, 31, who was reportedly involved in the disturbance, and Price “resisted in non-threatening posture and began walking away,” the Texas Rangers said.
Lucas used a stun gun before shooting Price, who was taken to a hospital and died, the statement said.
On Monday, Lucas, 22, was booked into the Hunt County Jail, the Texas Rangers said in a statement released by the Texas Department of Public Safety. He has since been charged with murder.
According to the statement, Lucas responded to a disturbance call on Saturday night following a report of a possible fight. He encountered Price, 31, who was reportedly involved in the disturbance, and Price “resisted in a non-threatening posture and began walking away,” the Texas Rangers said.
Lucas used a stun gun before shooting Price, who was taken to a hospital and died, the statement said.
Police didn’t release details about the disturbance, but family and friends of Price said Monday that the one-time college football player was intervening in a domestic disturbance when he was shot.
“When police arrived, I’m told, he raised his hands and attempted to explain what was going on,” said civil rights attorney Lee Merritt in a Facebook posting. “Police fired Tasers at him and when his body convulsed from the electrical current, they ‘perceived a threat’ and shot him to death.”
After Lucas’ arrest was announced, Merritt posted: “This didn’t happen quickly. It should (have) happened the day he murdered JP. John should still be here.”
Price’s relatives and friends said Price, a Wolfe City employee, was a figure well-known about the closely knit community. The town has about 1,500 residents about 70 miles (113 kilometers) northeast of Dallas.
Price played football in 2008 for Hardin-Simmons University in Abilene, Texas. Hardin-Simmons football coach Jesse Burleson tweeted that the university “lost one of our own in a terrible situation. Jonathan Price was an awesome young man during his time with Cowboy football.”