A Killen man was fatally shot at his own lawn by an officer who responded to his call asking for a mental health professional to be sent immediately.
Officer Reynaldo Contreras, however, chose to respond to the call himself only to come upon an “emotionally distressed” Patrick Warren.
The Sunday incident was caught on video and shows how the family of the 52-year-old asked the officer not to use his gun against the agitated man as he pursued the cop on the lawn.
“There’s no reason that a mental health call like this should result in a fatality,” Civil Right Attorney Lee Merritt said at a Thursday briefing.
“Mr. Warren was not aggressive. Mr. Warren was not armed. He was in his home; he was on his lawn. He was within his rights to reject the services of law enforcement after they arrived.”
“Their responsibility was simply to leave or send the appropriate personnel to deal with this particular crisis. They failed this family in every way and it’s left them shattered.”
Contreras was placed on administrative leave but the family called for his arrest. Police Chief Charles Kimble said that an investigation is underway.
“This incident is rightfully of great concern to the community. As Killeen Police Chief, it is my duty to ensure a thorough investigation is conducted so that all parties, including the public, have the answers they seek.”
