Witnesses Sought In Fatal, Officer-Involved Shooting In Fort Worth
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FORT WORTH (CBSDFW.COM) - Fort Worth police are asking for witnesses to a fatal officer-involved shooting last week to come forward, citing poor video evidence in the case.
Different accounts of the shooting have surfaced, prompting authorities to gather all possible information and witness testimony.
The shooting occurred outside of the Ojos Locos Sports Cantina at the intersection of West 5th Street and Houston Street in downtown Fort Worth on Friday, July 31 around 1:30 a.m.
According to police, officers were patrolling the area on bicycle when they spotted two large groups involved in an altercation. One man was allegedly pointing a handgun at one of the groups.
Officers say the man was ordered to drop his weapon, but he did not comply. One officer opened fire at the suspect.
Philip 'Flip' Vallejo, who was out celebrating his 30th birthday, was killed.
Brenda Vallejo, the wife, says she was present during the shooting and alleges that the officer used unnecessary force. She says that her husband went outside to get a cigarette and insists that he was not holding a gun.
"He had his hands up and he was turned to him," she said. "His back was towards the cop. He shot him."
"Why did you have to shoot him in the back five times?" she asked.
READ: Differing Accounts In Fort Worth Officer Involved Shooting
Detectives are currently working to gather all possible evidence before presenting the case to the Tarrant County District Attorney's Office for review and subsequent presentation to a grand jury. Police had hoped to gather valuable information from nearby surveillance cameras, though they now say the footage is "of poor quality."
The department has not released any further details on the shooting.
"It is not the wish of the Fort Worth Police Department to appear anything but transparent during the investigation of any incident; however, certain facts or procedures are not readily accessible to the general public," a police statement reads. "This assures that a fair and impartial decision can be rendered by the grand jury regarding the officer involved shooting."
Anyone with information can contact police at 817-392-4455.
Fort Worth Police Officer M.J. Ochsendorf, a 23-year veteran assigned to the Bike Patrol Unit, was involved and has been placed on routine administrative leave.
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