Patrick Warren
Patrick Lynn Warren Sr., 52, was shot and killed by a police officer in Belton, Texas.
Police responded a psychiatric call on January 10, 2020. At the scene they found Warren who was having a metal health episode. A video of the incident shows Warren putting his hands up and an officer telling him to get to the ground. The officer tased him after he did not follow commands. Police say taser was ineffective, and then the officer discharged his duty weapon. Warren died on the way to the hospital.
In January 2021 Warren’s wife demanded the arrest of the officer. Family said at the time that previous mental health calls did not result in police arriving at the scene.
The officer was placed on administrative leave after the shooting and was moved to administrative duty in April 2021. On May 19, 2021, the Bell County Grand Jury ruled that there will be no state charges against the officer.
MASS MEDIA ABOUT THE CASE:
Warren family attorney said “It’s normal for the witnesses who are present to testify before the grand jury. So I anticipated that they would contact my client and say, ‘Well, you know, on this day we’re going to Grand Jury, you all will be witnesses’. When that phone call never happened, I know how this investigation was going.”
Lee Merritt, attorney for the Warren family, issued the following statement: “We will be filing a lawsuit after the case is presented to GJ and the US DOJ opens an investigation. We won’t know everyone we will include in the suit until after the completion of a thorough criminal investigation.”
CASE STATUS:
The initiative group has requested the clarification from US President Joseph Biden and Attorney General Merrick Garland. The initiative group believes it is important to fight against police brutality and, if necessary, will provide legal and financial assistance to the family of the victim.