Family Waits To Hear From Cop Who Killed Teen
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ARLINGTON (CBSDFW.COM) - Christian Taylor was killed by a rookie police officer early Friday morning after breaking into a car dealership in Arlington. Now, at some point this week, that officer is expected to give his account of what happened, and explain why he fired his gun at the teen.
Surveillance video from the car dealership shows Taylor jumping on vehicles and crashing his SUV into the showroom. But it does not show the altercation that, authorities said, the 19-year-old man had with two officers. That confrontation is what led to Officer Brad Miller firing four shots, killing the unarmed teenager.
The shooting comes just as the Arlington Police Department prepares for a law enforcement assessment, something that had already been planned. A team of out-of-state assessors are in Arlington to verify that the department is in compliance with all standards.
According to police officials, it is common to give officers involving in fatal shooting incidents a few days before making their official statements.
Taylor's family is trying to remain patient as investigators look into the shooting incident. "I don't want it to be a race thing. I don't want it to be a black-white thing, because it can happen to anybody," said Adrian Taylor, the victim's brother. "Just last week, a white kid got killed. I want everybody protected by law enforcement."
Meanwhile, the activist group Mothers Against Police Brutality will hold a vigil for Taylor at 7:30 p.m. on Monday night at the Arlington Police Department's headquarters. Click here for more details. A public hearing is also set for 6:00 p.m. on Monday night at the West District Community Room, located at 2600 West Green Oaks Boulevard.
"I miss my brother. I love my brother. Those answers will come in time," added Adrian Taylor. "All I know is we have a justice system and we have to let it run its course. We got to let it do what it's got to do."
