Newly reviewed body cam footage of the shooting of Jordan Edwards has police in Balch Springs, Texas changing their tune about what led to the 15-year-old’s death.
According to the Dallas Morning News, Police Chief Jonathan Haber admitted Monday that a car full of teens was driving away from police when an officer armed with a rifle fatally shot the teenager in the head. Saber’s initial account about Saturday’s deadly confrontation, saying the teen behind the wheel Saturday night at first backed down the street but was fleeing the scene when the officer opened fire.
Initial reports said the car was driving backward when Jordan Edwards was shot, when officers, who had been inside a house, ran outside after hearing gunshots around 11 p.m. Jordan, a promising freshman at Mesquite High School, was leaving the party when the officer shot him through the passenger’s side window.
“It did not meet our core values,” Haber said of his officer’s actions.
In their first statement following Jordan Edwards’ death, the teen’s family called him a “loving child with a humble and sharing spirit.” The family also stressed his connection to his family, particularly his siblings, who unfortunately were there to watch their brother die.
“Not only have Jordan’s brothers lost their best friend; they witnessed firsthand his violent, senseless, murder,” the statement reads. “Their young lives will forever be altered. No one, let alone young children, should witness such horrific, unexplainable, violence.”
In an effort to cool the community’s outage, the Edwards family also asked for calm as they prepare funeral arrangement, and for asked for people to allow justice to prevail.
“We do not support nor do we condone any violence or threats made against the Balch Springs Police Department or any other law enforcement agencies. What we desire only second to having our beloved Jordan back, is JUSTICE FOR JORDAN,” the statement reads.
