Police Release Body Cam Footage Of Texas Man Killed During Mental Health Episode, Family Wants Officer ARRESTED

A video of an unarmed black man who was fatally shot by a police officer in Killeen, Texas went viral last week. The family called for a mental health professional, but a police officer showed up instead and killed him. Now, the police have released the body cam footage of the fatal shooting. More inside…

Last week, another unarmed black man was KILLED by a police officer.

Patrick Warren Sr. – a local pastor, husband and father – was shot and killed by Officer Reynaldo Contreras outside of his home. The 52-year-old man was experiencing a mental health episode, so the family called 9-1-1 in hopes of contacting a mental health resource officer. The day before the shooting, the family called for assistance and a mental health officer was sent to the home. He was able to calm Warren Sr. down and ended up taking him to the hospital to be examined before bringing him back home.

The next day, another episode started and that’s when things took a turn for the absolute worse.

When the family called police the next day in hopes of getting another mental health officer, there weren’t any mental health officers available, so an armed police officer was sent to the home. Sadly, Officer Contreras ended up tasing and then fatally shooting Warren Sr. right in front of his family as they screamed at the officer NOT to shoot.

Below is video of the fatal shooting (recorded from the family’s Ring doorbell) – WARNING! THE VIDEO BELOW IS DISTURBING:

 

#PatrickWarrenSr was murdered by @KilleenPD. He was on his own property. He was unarmed.

He was suffering a mental health crisis and simply needed help. Instead he was shot three times in his chest and tased.

We demand the immediate arrest of this officer. pic.twitter.com/tNdNBfC5b3

— S. Lee Merritt, Esq. (@MeritLaw) January 13, 2021

 

Literally makes us SICK to our stomachs that this black man was gunned down on his own property, especially with those present knowing his mental state.

Today, police released body cam footage of the fatal shooting:

The son of Warren Sr. – Patrick Warren Jr. – spoke to a local new station after his father was murdered and he couldn’t believe what had transpired.

"I broke down watching it. I’m like, 'This can’t be happening,'" Warren Jr. said. "It has been hard, but I’m staying focused because it’s like my dad has a battery in my back. It is almost like a fire underneath me. Until the officer is arrested, I can’t relax, I can’t sleep, I can’t breathe until I know justice is happening."

Warren Jr. said he regrets calling the police for help.

"I wish I took more pictures,” Warren said. "I wish I would have made more time. I wish I would have never called police. I wish I would have never called a mental health officer. I wish things could be different."

In another interview, Warren Jr. revealed whether he would ever call the police for help again:

Warren Sr. was the sole provider for his family, so his son has set up a GoFundMe account to help. What’s worse is that Warren Sr. had a life insurance policy, but with the rise of COVID-19, he was let go from his job and the policy expired THREE months ago! So sad.

As of the time of this post, the account has raised over $51,000 of their $100,000 goal. You can donate here.

Officer Contreras - a 5-year veteran of the department - has been placed on PAID administrative leave pending an investigation. The investigation is being led by the Texas Rangers. Also, the Killeen Police Department is conducting a separate Internal Affairs investigation, according to the Killeen PD. The officer's race hasn't been released.

We demand the immediate arrest of Reynaldo Contreras. Presser today at Bell County District Attorney office. pic.twitter.com/od1OzoALAy

— S. Lee Merritt, Esq. (@MeritLaw) January 14, 2021

The Warren family has hired civil rights attorney Lee Merritt to help them fight for justice. Attorney Merritt is calling for a thorough investigation, along with the firing and arrest of Officer Contreras.

"He was not prepared to deal with the mental health crisis. He didn't have any clear skillsets that could encounter the situation," Merritt said during a press conference with the Warren family. "He quickly escalated, almost the entire time, from the moment he entered the house until the moment of the fatal shooting."

Peep the full press conference below:

Bobbie Warren, Warren Sr.'s wife, issued a statement calling for Officer Contreras' arrest:

"Our family is still finding our bearings following the murder of our beloved Patrick Warren, Sr. We are grateful for the outpouring of love and support from the community. Patrick was a loving husband, father and devoted man of God. As we deal with the pain of this sudden loss we are asking the community to join us in honoring his name and demanding justice. Patrick spent his entire life serving others. He worked at a local plant in Belton, TX before it was shut down due to the pandemic. He immediately launched a landscaping business to continue to provide for our family. We expect Officer Reynaldo Contreras to be arrested immediately. There is more than enough probable cause for the Killeen Police Department, Texas Rangers or the Bell County District Attorney Henry Garza to issue a warrant for Contreras' immediate arrest and detainment - as would be expected for any other citizen under the circumstances."

The Killeen Branch NAACP also issued a statement regarding the fatal shooting:

"The Killeen Branch NAACP expresses its serious concern that instead of reversing the national trend of police officers shooting and killing unarmed black citizens that the Killeen Police Department has exacerbated the problem. The Killeen Branch NAACP expresses its sincerest condolences and our prayers to Pastor Warren, Sr.’s family at this terrible time. While the Killeen Branch NAACP has seen only the televised broadcast video of the incident, the NAACP acknowledges that it is not aware of all relevant facts and circumstances beyond the basic facts that an unarmed black man has been shot and killed by a police officer. The Killeen Branch NAACP calls for a fair, thorough and independent investigation; and, are aware that the Texas Randers are currently conducting an investigation of the shooting. The Killeen Branch NAACP President has been contacted by the Department of Justice (DOJ) and has spoken with the Killeen Police Department. The NAACP stays vigilant and committed to the reform of the criminal justice system including the NAACP’s Reform Plan."

Protesters in Killeen gathered at the police department headquarters to call for the arrest of the officer who killed Warren Sr.:

Meanwhile, Capitol police are "confused" on whether they can use deadly force against Trump supporters who could potentially riot at the Capitol again.

We just -- ugh.

 

Photo: Ring/Warren Family

source: theybf