Its been really difficult being told no or having no response to the question, Hey can we put this kid, this great kid can we put his face on your building?. Josephs autopsy found he had Xanax and marijuana in his system at the time of his death, but that he tested negative for drugs such as PCP. Police said at a press conference Tuesday that the dashboard camera on Officer Geoffrey Freemans patrol car did not record video of the shooting. If her son had been white, she said, he would have been perceived as less of a threat and the officer would have done everything in his power to protect them. But even if she had broached the subject with her son, Sully has come to think, it would not have made a difference. The group, under an agreement between the city of Austin and the Austin Police Association, can make a recommendation as to whether or not policy was followed. Did he realize that he did something that he could never take back? Neither officer faced criminal charges and both are still on the force. needs room in shelter for parvo treatment, Thursdays cold front brings severe risk then strong, No. AUSTIN, TX -- A man shot by police Monday morning has died of his injuries, according to media reports. Updated November 30, 2021. A probable cause statement obtained by KMOV shows Thomas faces charges for first-degree murder and armed criminal action. I dont know why people keep killing police. In the statement, police identify the deceased victim as David Saldana. Were here to bring awareness to this issue, said Chas Moore, co-founder of the Austin Justice Coalition. 1 person hospitalized after shooting at Peoria gas station, DCs cherry blossoms coming early due to confusing weather, California board denies parole for RFK killer Sirhan Sirhan, Closing arguments begin after Murdaugh jury visit to crime scene, Twitters new violent speech policy similar to past rules. People say change takes a long time, but how many years do you need to realize that minorities are human beings? Vanessa said. The Austin police department is firing an officer who shot and killed a naked and unarmed teenager in the street last month. I have to forgive (officer Geoffrey Freeman) because thats the only way that Im going to keep living my life. "It's scary, you know, of course. Police urge people to avoid the areas of Yager, Tech Ridge and Canyon Boulevard for the time being. The APD said at the time they had implemented most of the recommendations. Because of the short timeline, Fraiser said she expects interviews with witnesses and Officer Freeman to possibly start next week. There is a collective responsibility to work with each other to make things better, Acevedo said. We will be involved in the internal affairs investigation as far as being at every interview, having access to the complete file as far as forensic and medical examiners report everything that there is, said Frasier. Officer Geoffrey Freeman has been with the Austin Police Department since 2005, according to the Austin American Statesman. He and others made their voices heard starting at 9 a.m. outside city chambers, where council members staged their regular meeting. One day she and a friend walked into a corporate building at Ninth Street and Congress Avenue in downtown Austin. When Geoffrey Freeman, the police officer who shot Joseph, arrived on the scene, the teen ran toward him and Freeman said he shot Joseph because he feared for his life. You . This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. After the shooting, the rifle (previously assumed to be a lethal weapon), which remained in the room, was . After some conversation between the two as seen on surveillance video, a struggle ensued. Freeman, 42, had previously received several commendations from senior officers for his work. Once the internal investigation is complete, Frasier will give her recommendation to Chief Acevedo whether Officer Freeman acted within APDs policy and if there should be any punishment. Police arrested 23-year-old Deshawn Thomas in connection with the shooting. You were heard today. He did not respond to requests to talk. When I came here, Id seen people standing outside. Later that month, Vanessa sat on a maroon couch in her parents house, where she lives. The National Read Across America Day takes place every year on March 2, Geisels birthday. Would love your thoughts, please comment. In two of those cases, brought by Justin Howell and Anthony Evans, City Council has asked the Law Department and APD to pursue settlements with the victims a move that could result in more expedient justice and fewer tax dollars spent defending the APD officers accused of using excessive force. The teen was naked and unarmed. What makes Austin special is -- we dont go around advertising it -- but we have been working with these young activists for a year-and-a-half ever since the Kleinert-Larry Jackson incident, and theres some good things going on in our city that have to stand as a model.. We do not know what lead to his meeting with Officer Freeman, but we know that our David should not have been taken away from us, his family said. An autopsy report found that Joseph had both the anxiety-treating drug Xanax and marijuana in his system and that he was apparently shot three times from a distance of no more than two to three feet. Open Houses In And Around The Austin Area: The Latest 4 Listings, Here's How Many Guns Were Sold In Texas Last Month, On Feb. 7, a call was made reporting that Joseph allegedly tried to coax a female neighbor to meet him across the street, an invitation she refused. It is very painful.. In the last year, Davids name has been brought up at rallies, political events, and during the recent discussion over the police contract. Then-officer Geoffrey Freeman shot and killed Joseph the morning of Feb. 8 in the 12000 block of Natures Bend after Joseph, who was naked and unarmed at the time, charged toward Freeman. The officer was described as an APD veteran with more than 10 years on the job. Are you able to sleep at night? To correct what she sees as an injustice, Sully has filed a suit in federal court against the city of Austin and the former police officer who gunned down Joseph, her attorney Jeff Edwards said Wednesday. At that point, Vanessa felt like she was being brushed off. The SIU is a department within APD and investigates officers involved in incidents and includes the criminal investigation. When the family is asked about Josephs state of mind the day of his death, they avoid the question. Ketty Sully said she learned the U.S. was a land of justice while taking a history class to earn her citizenship. I know its horrible, but these things happen a lot. St. Louis man charged in execution-style shooting death caught on camera. Everybody says the cops should take more responsibility. Freeman, a 10-year. I feel like I got to say all of the things David couldnt, she said. Vanessa shopped these policy ideas around. Joseph died after Officer Geoffrey Freeman shot the teen in the 12000 block of Natures Bend. He became hysterical and told her Lucifer was after him and he was one of the three kings and two of them had to die, internal affairs investigators wrote after the interview. The documents also contain Freemans account of the shooting. The Talk tells us that weve still got work to do all of us. Despite her reclusiveness, Vanessa felt an urgency to act. Do you have a photo of this victim to share? Others said Freeman was just doing his job when he shot David. KUT spent more than a year following Vanessa as she tried to make sense of his death. Sometimes it feels like a dream. Vanessa addressed a letter to council members, but at the last-minute, she decided she couldnt stand up in front of the audience and present it. In January, she spoke over the phone with staffers from Texas Sen. Kirk Watsons office, but they recommended Vanessa reach out to another lawmaker, one who focuses on criminal justice reform. The critically injured suspect was taken to Round Rock Medical Center for treatment of critical injuries, where he died a short time later. Police responded to an apartment complex in the 300 block of East Yager Lane late Monday morning after calls were made about a suspicious man roaming the neighborhood, police said. The agreement between the local police union and the city is brokered once every several years and dictates pay, discipline and oversight of officers. All Rights Reserved. I'll have more details soon @keyetv pic.twitter.com/tTUdxxmU2T, Nadia Galindo (@NadiaKEYE) February 8, 2016. Gun Law Rally At The Capitol + Storms In The Forecast, Pet Food Pantry Event + Rise In Police Officer Retirement, I-35 Closures This Week + Warmest Winter Ever? Vanessa and David are not actually related by blood, but their families are very close; they immigrated from Haiti together when Vanessa was just 4 years old. Freeman was fired in March for violating department policy, but a grand jury declined to indict him in May. David Joseph, 17, was naked and unarmed when he was fatally shot by police in Austin, Texas. "We need to do right by these injured young men and their families, rather than spend resources fighting them in court," Council Member Greg Casar said of the resolutions, which he sponsored. David often came to her house to hang out with her younger brother. At first glance, this is what makes Vanessa stand out: She wears a flannel hunter cap year-round. We completed that within 45 days and that quite frankly had more witnesses than I anticipate this case having, said Frasier. As two other neighbors approached, Acevedo said he told the other residents they should watch yourself now.. In January, he posted a tragic tweet about dying: Pronto (@ProntoDavidJ) January 16, 2016. Why wouldnt you want to be a minority if its so great? Is it because you treat your minorities poorly? The death of Joseph this week also adds another grim statistic related to the number of unarmed suspects shot by police. This is a developing story. Support the free press, so we can support Austin. He stayed in the neighborhood and located Joseph at about 10:30 a.m. in the 12000 block of Natures Bend, according to police. Freeman was fired after fatally shooting 17-year-old David Joseph, was running down the street naked on Feb. 8 in Northeast Austin. Freeman shot the unarmed teen twice within seconds of their confrontation, mortally wounding him. He said that incident was just a matter of seconds.. Submit yours now at austinchronicle.com/opinion. (Twitter), Joseph was a student at John B. Connally High School in Austin. Marshawn McCarrel: 5 Fast Facts You Need to Know, Police still at scene of fatal officer-involved shooting in Northeast #Austin will stay for about 2-3 more hours pic.twitter.com/gAMjPntyeX, Nicole Chavez (@NicoleChavz) February 8, 2016. Once again it is very clear that this policy of response to resistance is not being enforced, Linder told the newspaper. I think it starts on both parts, he said. The council will vote on the settlement recommended by the city attorney, which will be paid to the family of 17-year-old David Joseph. America is supposed to have justice, but I feel like I have no justice, Sully said. The family of David Joseph, 17, questioned why the officer did not use his Taser or call for back-up. Protesters also wonder why the footage -- however incomplete -- hasnt yet been released. Its been a year since 17-year-old David Joseph was fatally shot by a police officer just a few blocks from his home. Concerned callers at 10:25 a.m. Sunday alerted deputies to gunshots fired at a trailer park in the 4400 block of 18th Street in Bacliff, Nolen said. Hes open and honest and kind, she said, slipping up and using the present tense. He had a life full of possibilities in front of him, his family said. + Food Bank Event. His death still affects me the same way it did when it initially happened, she said. He had responded to reports from residents saying a man was roaming the. Assistant Police Chief Brian Manley would not speculate why Freeman did not use his. i think we have achieved a lot by just getting the whole council to adjourn their meeting and go outside and mingle with the protesters, Gilliard said. He told me if I found a place that hed be willing to paint on it, Vanessa said. A month later, APD fired Freeman for violating department protocol, including failing to wait for backup. Police videoand audio indicate that within seconds Joseph ran at Freeman as the officer yelled at him to stop. The Talk is nothing new. Mr. Joseph would often talk about the three kings from biblical passages, referring to himself, (the friend police interviewed) and another friend as the three kings, the internal affairs documents said. Dont move! before firing his gun twice. Since the fatal shooting, many have questioned the officers actions: His use of lethal measures rather than the standard-issue Taser he had on his possession; why the teens nakedness while outdoors wasnt seen as denoting a mental health breakdown rather than criminality; the reason a gun was fired within mere seconds of the officer making the scene. AUSTIN, Texas Geoffrey Freeman, the former Austin Police officer who shot and killed unarmed, naked teenager David Joseph on February 8, will not face charges after a Grand Jury on Tuesday chose not to indict him, according to the Travis County District Attorney's Office. I mean, does he realize he was the last person to see David alive. The Chronicle regrets the error. Here are the best, Wildflower forecast: What to expect in Central Texas, COVID-19 tracker: Cases in the KXAN viewing area, Data tracker: COVID cases, vaccine rates across Texas, The story of 12 students who integrated ATX schools, How to get to Q2 Stadium for 2023 Austin FC season, PHOTOS: Some of Austins most modern homes, Cities offer free tree, brush disposals post-storm, Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information. In a statement issued Wednesday, city officials said they havent received Sullys lawsuit yet but are aware of the claims made by Josephs family: If the City does receive a lawsuit, we will take appropriate action to protect the Citys interests based on the allegations in the lawsuit.. His mother said she didnt notice any of the erratic behavior multiple witnesses described to police. The police officer said the man had reached into his waistband for a weapon. Today, the state's largest law enforcement association formally appealed the firing of Austin Police Officer Geoffrey Freeman for the shooting death of 17-year-old David Joseph. However, reports indicates no police officers were injured as a result of the incident. She says she was not in the room, but will sit in on interviews once the internal affairs investigation begins. You can watch the video above. No family should have to suffer like we are today.. She focused on additional oversight of officers, including mandating the frequent review of body camera footage for officers with previous complaints against them, and expanding the power of Austins Citizen Review Panel, a civilian body that reviews use-of-force cases. Many said they would call back, but never did. The shooting happened outside of 710 N. Tucker Boulevard near Lucas Avenue in front of the Globe Building. Freeman fired two shots, fatally injuring Joseph. The suit says Freeman used excessive force and that understaffing at the Austin Police Department also contributed to Josephs death. A local artist, Mike Johnston, had agreed to paint the piece. Until last February when a police officer shot her son. Right now hes indefinitely suspended without pay pending a hearing and pending a final ruling from the arbitrator, he said. APD has de-escalation rules. An officer like that is not supposed to ever carry a gun anymore, Sully said. To request removal of your name from an arrest report, submit these required items to arrestreports@patch.com. Ralph Barrera / American-Statesman. That this is where people make their stance. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts. The Austin City Council held a hearing in April on the new police contract. Inside, several of the protesters sat among the audience gathered to hear items on the council agenda, bearing signs of protest demanding justice for the dead youth. The press conference represented the first time Acevedo had spoken publicly about the incident. Copyright 2023 Nexstar Media Inc. All rights reserved. Other neighbors reported David acting strangely in the days leading up to his death. It has training. Vanessa said she would have rather Freeman didnt get a payout. That will all be a part of the ongoing investigation.. It allows me to personally be able to see the situation. All Rights ReservedSend us feedback, Grand jurors to weigh police shooting death of David Joseph in May, Austin police officer fired over David Joseph shooting files appeal, Austin police fire officer who fatally shot naked teen David Joseph, Autopsy released in David Joseph shooting finds drugs but no PCP, Autopsy on teen killed by Austin police officer sealed. When asked if shes afraid David will be forgotten, Vanessa said yes. Manley also didnt release the name of either the officer involved in the incident or the suspect. Joseph was shot and killed by Officer Geoffrey Freeman on Feb. 8, 2016 after Freeman responded to a disturbance call in northeast Austin. We dont want our detectives or anybody that investigates this rushed., I would just ask people to be patient these kind of things have happened in the past, weve had officers be cleared, weve had officers that have been indicted, we just want a thorough process to make sure this is done right.. His final tweet, on February 5, days before his death, is below: Pronto (@ProntoDavidJ) February 5, 2016. Joseph was a student at charter school Premier High School and known as Pronto to his friends. So I think we were able to achieve a whole lot today. Freeman, a patrol officer, has been placed on administrative duty per procedure. Get the Android Weather app from Google Play, Sign Up for Daily News & Breaking News Newsletters, Sign up for Digging Deep: Inside KXAN Investigates newsletter. The question hung in the air awkwardly. Look how they killed David. 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