Family responds to gospel artist’s killing
The family of a Houston man fatally shot by police called him “a talented gospel recording artist on the rise,” moments before Police Chief Art Acevedo on Monday held a news conference to break down video of the deadly struggle.
Adrian Medearis, 48, most recently directed the gospel choir at Evangelist Temple Church of God In Christ in South Acres. He was also a former director for the Prairie View A&M Baptist Student Movement gospel choir and founder of God’s Anointed People, a contemporary gospel group.
“Adrian is mourned as a beloved brother, devoted grandson, uncle, nephew, cousin and faithful friend to all,” according to a portion of the family’s statement. “Others who had the pleasure of knowing Adrian, fondly remember his smile, humor and easy going spirit. Adrian was a true gentleman and a proud Texas scholar. His love for Prairie View A&M University remained close to his heart.”
Medearis was shot and killed around 1:30 a.m. Friday during a struggle with an officer, only identified as J. Ramos, who was trying to arrest him on a DWI charge in the 11700 block of the North Freeway, police said. Acevedo said Medearis was clocked driving 97 mph down the highway.
He failed field-sobriety tests and resisted being placed in handcuffs, the chief said. He was shot when he grabbed Ramos’ Taser and pointed it at the officer, Acevedo said.
Medearis’ death stunned his friends in the church community. The Evangelist Temple said its congregation is mourning the loss of their “beloved choir director, Brother Adrian Medearis, who Sunday after Sunday ushered in the Holy Spirit through praise and worship,” according to an Instagram post.
Family members have “merely begun to process this tragic loss,” their statement said.
“Repeating or echoing statements not yet verified by the facts, only add to our pain and grief,” according to their statement. “To be clear, we are beyond shocked at the initial accounts of this tragedy. Unfortunately, there are no public details available regarding the murder of our loved one. We respectfully ask for our privacy, and your patience, during this time of bereavement.”
Houston police have not publicly released video of the shooting.
No other officers or witnesses were on the scene at the time. Ramos’ body-worn camera fell off during the struggle, but Acevedo said the entire incident was captured on the officer’s dashboard camera and two nearby security cameras.
Acevedo viewed the footage and reiterated that details initially supplied by police are accurate. During a 3 p.m. news conference outside Houston police headquarters, Acevedo said he planned to show the family the video and let them decide whether they want it released to the public.
“Not everybody wants their loved one to be in cyberspace for the rest of eternity and for their last minute on earth to be public,” Acevedo said.
The chief said he left a message with the family but had not received a response. Medearis’ brother, Audrick Medearis, posted his own comments on social media around 2 p.m., saying family had not heard from the department before they called the press conference. He also said he hadn’t been notified about the location of his brother’s car and personal belongings.
Acevedo said his attention last Friday was focused on fallen officer Jason Knox, whose visitation was held hours after the shooting.
Audrick Medearis could not be reached after the press conference.
In an earlier Facebook post, he said: "It is disappointing and absurd that Chief Acevedo would call a public press conference before speaking with the Family of Adrian Medearis. “I am not only his brother, but am also a first responder and Cy Fair firefighter. I am very easily accessible to HPD. The Harris County Chief Medical Examiner is aware that I am the next of kin as I contacted the office last Friday requesting to view my brother's remains.”
During the traffic stop, Acevedo said Medearis initially denied consuming any alcohol but later admitted to drinking a Mimosa cocktail.
A fight ensued when the officer tried to get him in handcuffs, he said. The officer struck Medearis once with a Taser during the struggle, but it was ineffective.
Acevedo said the “violent” altercation lasted about two and a half minutes, during which Ramos called for backup at least twice. At one point, Ramos pinned Medearis to the ground, and Medearis appeared to calm down, Acevedo said. When the officer tried to arrest him with a second pair of handcuffs, Medearis again resisted the officer and grabbed the Taser, which was loaded with one additional live round, Acevedo said.
The officer tried to distance himself, he said, but fired multiple times when Medearis pointed the weapon.
Acevedo added that Medearis’ blood-alcohol levels will be included in toxicology reports from the Harris County Institute of Forensic Sciences. Police did not administer a breathalyzer on the scene, he said.
Acevedo so far has declined to release the video publicly because doing so, he said, could taint any potential criminal prosecution locally.
“I don’t ever want to see a case where an officer ends up being indicted, and the next thing you know there’s a change in venue and it ends up in East Texas, or some other part of Texas that isn’t this melting pot that we call Harris County, with jurors that may have a different mindset,” he said.
The Harris County District Attorney's Office, as well as the Houston Police Department's Special Investigations Unit and Internal Affairs Unit, are investigating the shooting.
Medearis’ funeral will be held for immediate family only.