Category: Dallas Police Department

The Dallas Police Department filed a custodial death report with the Attorney General of Texas regarding the death of John O. Newton.  Information in this post was obtained from that report.  We make no allegation of any wrongdoing against anyone, but we are instead simply providing information.

On March 8, 2018, Dallas Police officers answered a call regarding a man standing in the middle of a street.  When officers arrived, they physically restrained Mr. Newton.  They called for assistance and ultimately placed Mr. Newton into custody.  At some point after being placed into a squad car, Mr. Newton became unresponsive.  He was taken to an area hospital and passed away nearly a month later.  The report indicates that officers did not use any electronic weapon, and that Mr. Newton did not appear to have any injuries as a result of the arrest.

On June 10, 2016, 30-year-old Shawn Diamond, an African American, threatened law enforcement officers with rocks and was allegedly shot by police at Dallas Love Field airport. Last month, Diamond pled guilty to felony aggravated assault of a public servant. This week a plea agreement was reached, and he was released from county jail the next day. Diamond was sentenced to 10 years’ probation, and he is forbidden to contact his ex-girlfriend during the probation period. He must also participate in a program for anger management.

According to court documents, Diamond and his ex-girlfriend were having a dispute at the airport. He was allegedly throwing rocks at her car and also hitting it with a traffic cone.

On the day of the incident last summer, Randall Blankenbaker, Assistant Police Chief, told reporters that Diamond had hurled large rocks at the mother of his children. When a police officer approached him, the man allegedly yelled something to the effect of: Shoot me! Shoot me! I dare you! Diamond allegedly charged at police with a rock, and it was at that time that an officer allegedly fired approximately eight rounds. Reportedly, some of those shots were fired after Diamond was hit in the leg and then still attempted to charge the police officer.

In the 87-year history of Love field, this is believed to be the first shooting. Approximately 30 flights were cancelled as a result of this incident.

As with every post on this website, we are only providing information in this post and do not make any allegation or assertion that anyone acted inappropriately or engaged in misconduct.

–Guest Contributor