Arlington Police: Officer Who Shot Christian Taylor Fired for "Poor Judgment"
At a press conference on Tuesday, Arlington Police Chief Will Johnson said the officer who fatally shot Christian Taylor on Friday has been terminated “for exercising poor judgment” and had no physical contact with the unarmed teen before firing.
This account contradicts an earlier version of the incident given by Johnson, who told The New York Times this weekend that two officers “struggled” with Taylor before the shooting.
Johnson said on Tuesday he had “serious concerns” about Officer Brad Miller’s need to use lethal force, but a grand jury will ultimately decide whether he should be charged criminally. From the Fort Worth Star-Telegram:
While outlining the events leading up to the fatal shooting of Christian Taylor, Johnson said rookie officer Brad Miller “exercised poor judgment” that led to “cascading consequences.”
Miller’s “unilateral decision to enter the building alone and to pursue [Christian Taylor] helped create an unrecoverable outcome,” Johnson said, adding that the decision put other officers on the scene at risk.
On social media, Star-Telegram reporter Monica S. Nagy tweeted further details of the shooting as offered by Johnson on Tuesday.
Multiple officers saw Christian Taylor Friday night, officer spotted a "bulge" in Taylor's pockets, Arlington chief says.
August 11, 2015
Officer saw Christian Taylor had keys, said he was going to steal car, would not comply, Chief Will Johnson said.
August 11, 2015
Christian Taylor lunges his body through glass door in effort to break glass and visibly shakes wall, Arlington chief says in presser.
August 11, 2015
Christian Taylor was actively advancing toward Officer Miller, another officer removed his taser and heard a pop, @ArlingtonPD chief says
August 11, 2015
.@ArlingtonChief says Christian Taylor continued toward Officer Miller after he was shot the first time, another officer tased him
August 11, 2015
The "bulge" in #ChristianTaylor's pocket was a wallet and cell phone, per police
August 11, 2015
#ChristianTaylor screamed vulgarities at police and walked "aggressivley" toward Miller, @ArlingtonPD chief says.
August 11, 2015
As he was still in field training, Officer Miller is reportedly unable to appeal his termination.
[Image via AP Images]
