AUSTIN, Texas (AP) — A police chief in Texas says he’s firing an officer who fatally shot an unarmed, naked 17-year-old last month.
Austin Police Chief Art Acevedo announced the move Monday against Officer Geoffrey Freeman. He said Freeman violated department policy in the shooting of David Joseph on Feb. 8.
–Black Lives Matter Activist Kills Himself on Steps of Ohio Courthouse–
Freeman’s lawyers with the Combined Law Enforcement Associations of Texas say they will appeal.
Acevedo said he has “indefinitely suspended” Freeman, which he says is the department’s term for firing. If Freeman appeals, the firing isn’t final until an arbitrator upholds it.
–Trump Supporter Who Sucker-Punched Protester: Next Time, We May ‘Kill Him’–
–Police Officer Celebrates Black Lives Matter Activist’s Suicide on Facebook–
Travis County prosecutors also are investigating and plan to present the case to a grand jury for possible criminal charges.
Joseph was black, as is Freeman.
Copyright 2016 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.