INVESTIGATION CONTINUES IN OFFICER-INVOLVED SHOOTING IN AUSTIN CO.

  

More information has come to light regarding an officer-involved shooting investigation in Austin County.

De'Eddrick Graves
(courtesy Facebook)

20-year-old De’eddrick Graves was shot outside his home in Bellville Monday afternoon, by a Prairie View A&M University police officer. Graves was shot in the back of the neck, and is in critical condition at an area hospital.

According to University Police Chief Keith Jemison, the officer was trying to serve a felony arrest warrant, stemming from an incident last month in which a man fired a gun multiple times on campus.

Jemison said in a release that, in January’s incident, a person “unaffiliated with the campus community” fired around 14 rounds of ammunition towards two others around the basketball courts. Police said no one was seriously injured, but there were multiple people in the area, including a 6-year-old.

Jemison said Graves was armed at the time of the shooting on Monday, but did not provide any more details on the nature of the incident, saying it is being investigated by the Texas Rangers. He maintains university police followed protocols and notified local authorities of their operation.

According to Graves’ attorney Paul Looney, Graves was running from the officer when he was shot.

The case will be turned over to the Austin County District Attorney's Office for review.

A protest is planned in front of the Prairie View A&M police station today (Thursday) at noon.

 

The following is the full press release sent out Wednesday by Prairie View A&M University Police Chief Keith Jemison:

As many of you know, on January 30th, 2019, a serious incident occurred on campus in the student housing area (Phase I). More specifically, a subject, unaffiliated with the campus community, recklessly fired approximately 14 rounds of ammunition towards two other subjects in the area surrounding the basketball courts. Although no one was seriously injured, multiple potential victims were in the area at the time of the shooting, including a six year old child. Needless to say, this incident was deeply disturbing to the campus community, and, as a result, the Prairie View A & M University Police Department (UPD) immediately launched a criminal investigation. That investigation culminated in UPD identifying a suspect, developing probable cause, and ultimately, obtaining a felony arrest warrant.

On February 11th, 2019, UPD Police Officers were conducting surveillance at multiple locations believed to be potential residences for the suspect named in its felony arrest warrant. At one of the locations, UPD Officers encountered the suspect and, while Officers attempted to make an arrest, the suspect was subsequently seriously injured. I cannot confirm specific facts surrounding the case, as the incident has been referred to the Texas Rangers for investigation. However, I can confirm several general facts, some of which contradict the public narrative and media accounts.

* UPD Police Officers are general authority police officers under the Texas Code of Criminal Procedure (CCP), empowered to make felony arrests throughout the state of Texas. Additionally, pursuant to the provisions of Texas Education Code, UPD’s jurisdiction extends beyond the campus.

* In the February 11th incident, UPD followed its protocols and notified local authorities of the UPD law enforcement operations in their area.

* The suspect in the encounter was armed.

It is important that our stakeholders remember that UPD is committed to providing a safe and secure environment for those who live, study, and work at Prairie View A & M University (PVAMU). Further, those who would endanger and/or who would otherwise compromise that safety, will be appropriately investigated, and ultimately held accountable for their actions. I am confident that the outcome of the Texas Ranger’s investigation will bear out the truth and support the actions of UPD.

 

What’s your Reaction?
+1
0
+1
0
+1
0
Back to top button