The family of a popular black drummer and public housing worker killed by a plainclothes officer is demanding answers after he was fatally shot when his car broke down over the weekend in affluent Palm Beach Gardens, FL.
Jones' car broke down on Interstate 95 early Sunday morning after a late-night gig with his band. He spoke to his uncle around 3 am as he waited for a tow truck. Jones was suppose to play drums at the Bible Church of God in Boynton Beach, FL, where his grandfather has been a pastor for decades. When Jones didn't show up the next morning, the family knew something was wrong, NBCnews reported.
Police Chief Stephen Stepp says Officer Nouman Raja stopped his unmarked car early Sunday morning at what he thought was an abandoned vehicle. Stepp says the officer was confronted by an armed man and fatally shot 31-year old Corey Jones. Investigators recovered a handgun on the ground that matched a box in the car. Records indicate Jones had legally purchased the weapon three days before.
"No matter what the circumstances turn out to be, this is a tragic loss of life that affects us all," Stepp said.
Besides the time of the confrontation and the name of the officer involved, Palm Beach Gardens police have released very little information about the incident. The family has since hired prominent civil rights attorneys Daryl Parks and Benjamin Crum. Parks and Crump have previously worked with the families of Trayvon Martin, Tamir Rice and Michael Brown. A rally is planned Thursday at the Palm Beach Gardens Police Department and black legislators have called for a state investigation into the shooting.
Jones' car broke down on Interstate 95 early Sunday morning after a late-night gig with his band. He spoke to his uncle around 3 am as he waited for a tow truck. Jones was suppose to play drums at the Bible Church of God in Boynton Beach, FL, where his grandfather has been a pastor for decades. When Jones didn't show up the next morning, the family knew something was wrong, NBCnews reported.
Police Chief Stephen Stepp says Officer Nouman Raja stopped his unmarked car early Sunday morning at what he thought was an abandoned vehicle. Stepp says the officer was confronted by an armed man and fatally shot 31-year old Corey Jones. Investigators recovered a handgun on the ground that matched a box in the car. Records indicate Jones had legally purchased the weapon three days before.
"No matter what the circumstances turn out to be, this is a tragic loss of life that affects us all," Stepp said.
Besides the time of the confrontation and the name of the officer involved, Palm Beach Gardens police have released very little information about the incident. The family has since hired prominent civil rights attorneys Daryl Parks and Benjamin Crum. Parks and Crump have previously worked with the families of Trayvon Martin, Tamir Rice and Michael Brown. A rally is planned Thursday at the Palm Beach Gardens Police Department and black legislators have called for a state investigation into the shooting.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Sign in to post
Please sign in to leave a comment.
Continue