Category: Police Shooting

Many in the Balch Springs, Texas, community are devastated by the death of 15-year-old Jordan Edwards. On Monday night, May 1, 2017, a police officer allegedly fired a shotgun into a car filled with teens, killing Edwards. Public outcry against the alleged police shooting is widespread. Many are relieved to learn that the police officer who allegedly shot Edwards has been fired from his position with the Balch Springs Police Department. What the family and friends of the teen really want, however, is justice for the death.

Edwards was a football player in the Mesquite Independent School District. A statement was released on behalf of the Edwards family, stating that he had a sharing spirit and was a humble, loving child. The bond he shared with siblings was “indescribable,” the family said.

On Monday night, Edwards was in a car filled with other teens. The shooting victim’s 16-year-old brother was driving. Police arrived at the scene, due to a report of under-age drinking at a party. The car Edwards was in was headed away from the police and from the scene when a police officer allegedly fired at the vehicle the teens were in with three shots from a rifle.

The teen driver didn’t realize at first that his brother had been shot. Once he did, he said he flagged down a police car that passed their vehicle. It was about 10 to 15 minutes after being shot that Edwards received medical attention. He was transported to a nearby hospital, where he was declared to be deceased.

Family members spoke of the incident as “horrific, unexplainable violence.” They also asked that the community refrain from marches and protests as the family prepares for the funeral. They also made it a point to say that they do not condone threats or violence against any law enforcement agencies, including the Balch Springs Police Department.

The death of Edwards was ruled a homicide by the Medical Examiner’s office, but no criminal charges have been made in connection with his death. The Dallas Police Department has taken the lead in the investigation of events surrounding Edwards’ death.

–Guest Contributor

On Saturday night, April 29, 2017, a police officer in Balch Springs, Texas, allegedly killed a black 15-year-old boy when he fired into a vehicle full of teenagers. Community leaders released the victim’s name; the deceased was Jordan Edwards, who was a freshman attending Mesquite High School.

The Balch Springs Police Department (BSPD) posted a media release on Facebook about the deadly encounter. According to BSPD, there isn’t a lot known about the altercation. Allegedly, the vehicle that was full of teenagers was backing down Baron Drive in an aggressive manner. A police officer shot at the vehicle, and it struck the passenger in the front seat. The person who was struck was transported to a nearby hospital, where he died as a result of his injuries. Investigators have verified that Edwards was a passenger in the car, but early on, they did not release the name of the victim.

The name of the officer who allegedly shot the teen has not been released by police either. An internal investigation is being conducted by Balch Springs, though the lead on the case is being taken by the Dallas County Sheriff’s Department.

In more recent news, Balch Springs Police Chief Jonathan Haber admitted that the vehicle Edwards was in was first in reverse but was then driving away from law enforcement officers going forward, fleeing the scene, when the officer shot into the vehicle with a rifle and struck a teenager in the head.

Social media has been a catalyst for bringing people together in a quest for justice, and justice for the black community in particular, especially with regard to interaction with members of law enforcement. The officer in this case has been placed on administrative leave, which is standard procedure and should not be taken to indicate that the officer did anything wrong.

–Guest Contributor