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The officer who fatally shot 15-year-old Jordan Edwards in Balch Springs, Texas, on Saturday has been fired, police said at a press conference this evening.
Balch Springs Police Chief Jonathan Haber identified that officer as Roy Oliver and said he had been a member of the police department since 2011.
The announcement of the officer’s dismissal was welcomed by the Edwards family. “We are grateful the decision has been made to terminate the office responsible for Jordan’s murder,” a family statement read. “Over the past 24 hours Chief Haber has made commendable strides toward justice. However, there remains a long road ahead.”
The incident in question took place Saturday evening as police were responding to a report of “several underage kids” who were allegedly drunk at a residence in Balch Springs. Police initially said that Edwards was in a vehicle that backed up in the direction of the responding officers “in an aggressive manner.” Oliver then opened fire, striking Edwards, who was sitting in the front passenger seat. He was transported to a local hospital, where he was pronounced dead.
Authorities later admitted, however, that they had misspoken in recounting what occurred and that it appeared as though the vehicle Edwards was in was driving away from the officers when shots were fired, based on body cam footage.
On behalf of Jordan Edwards’ family concerning the officer’s termination pic.twitter.com/UJeT6OM6xg
— S. Lee Merritt (@MeritLaw) May 2, 2017
