It’s happened again, another town is mourning the death of an unarmed Black man. And in this case, the victim was reportedly trying to help someone in need when he was gunned down. Texas police officer Shaun David Lucas is under arrest today, charged with murdering Jonathan Price. The Dallas News reports:
A statement from the Texas Rangers, sent in an email by Texas Department of Public Safety spokesman Lonny Haschel, said Lucas fatally shot 31-year-old Jonathan Price while responding to a disturbance call about 8:30 p.m. Saturday in the 100 block of Santa Fe Street in Wolfe City, about 70 miles northeast of Dallas.
At some point, Lucas tried to detain Price, according to the Texas Rangers. Price “resisted in a non-threatening posture and began walking away.” Then, Lucas deployed his Taser and shot Price with his service weapon, authorities said.
Price was taken to Hunt Regional Hospital, where he died.
In a social media post, the attorney hired by the victim’s family wrote, that Price “was known as a hometown hero. Motivational speaker, trainer, professional athlete and community advocate— he was dearly loved by so many.”
Yesterday he noticed a man assaulting a woman and he intervened. When police arrived, I’m told, he raised his hands and attempted to explain what was going on. Police fired tasers at him and when his body convulsed from the electrical current, they “perceived a threat” and shot him to death.
Lucas was arrested by the Texas Rangers two days after the incident.
Shaun David Lucas is in custody for the murder of #JonathanPrice. His bond has been set at $1,000,000.00
This didn’t happen quickly. It should happened the day he murdered JP. John should still be here.
This is step one. Let’s see it through to justice. pic.twitter.com/ydC124MYbG
— Lee Merritt (@MerrittForTexas) October 6, 2020
Jonathan Price should be alive. The officer who killed him has been arrested, in large part thanks to Price’s family, his attorney and the community who demanded justice in this case. Police must stop killing black men and women. https://t.co/FyCrO3WbW1
— Beto O'Rourke (@BetoORourke) October 6, 2020
Former World Series champion baseball player Will Middlebrooks wrote this tribute to his childhood friend saying, “there’s no excuses this time… This was purely an act of racism.PERIOD.”
This one hurts… for so many reasons. pic.twitter.com/Z1gTYJFXuX
— Will Middlebrooks (@middlebrooks) October 4, 2020