Family Mourns Man Killed By Denton Police
DENTON (CBSDFW.COM) - One night after celebrating Justin Beltran's 26th birthday, family members grieved his death on Sunday. "We were just with him last night and he was alive," said his girlfriend, Hope Serna.
The mother of his three children, Serna said that Beltran fired off a celebratory gunshot early Sunday morning outside their home. A neighbor called 911 and friends said that Beltran, who was on probation for misdemeanor family violence, panicked. "He was like, 'I'm scared they're gonna come,'" said friend Ricardo De Rojas.
De Rojas said that he got into a car with Beltran, hoping to calm him down. But almost immediately, police appeared and followed the two men for several miles, until Beltran pulled into a driveway. That is where he stepped out of his car with his rifle in his hand.
"He didn't point the gun at them. He never pointed the gun at them. He was just standing there. Just standing there. He wasn't moving. He didn't scream nothing at them. And they shot him," De Rojas said.
But police said that they warned Beltran several times before opening fire. "You know, put your weapon down, put your weapon down, and he did not," said Denton Police Department spokesperson Ryan Grelle.
But Serna said that Beltran was confused. "He was in total shock. He didn't know what to do. I don't think he heard the cops," Serna said.
The Texas Rangers are now investigating Beltran's death. His family remains heartbroken. "He's gone and I can't talk to him ever again," Serna said.
Also Check Out:
