Texas police officer said he had 'no choice' after shooting unarmed nigger

[hamilton]

A Texas police officer said he had "no choice" but to shoot an
unarmed Black man who charged at him after repeated warnings and
a failure of communication, according to a report.

New bodycam footage reveals the full exchange between Killeen
Police Officer Reynaldo Contreras and Patrick Warren Sr., 52,
after the officer responded to a call at around 5:40 p.m. on
Jan. 10.

Killeen Police Chief Charles Kimble showed the footage to
members of the press on Tuesday, saying he didn't see how
Contreras "could’ve done anything else," according to FOX 44.

Warren's family called for a mental health officer, but
Contreras instead responded. Warren emerged from the home and
approached Contreras, who Tasered him after cautioning the man,
according to reports.

Contreras then reportedly shot Warren three times after the man
ripped the Taser prongs off and continued to charge the officer.
Warren died later that day.

When his fellow officers arrived on the scene, Contreras said,
"I had no choice man, damn it," according to authorities.

"I can’t imagine putting myself in Officer Contreras’ shoes
because I believe this video shows he waited till the last
possible second to use force," Kimble told reporters, according
to KCEN TV.

Kimble said a woman who identified herself as Bobbie Warren
called 911 and asked for a mental health deputy but also said
Warren was being aggressive and "almost physical" with their son.

Lee Merritt, an attorney for Patrick Warren's family, said
Warren was in the midst of a "mental health crisis" and the man
had voluntarily gone to a hospital the day before the shooting.
He returned home and later developed manic symptoms, which
prompted Sunday’s call, Merritt said.

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"Instead of that same resource officer who had helped before,
they sent Reynaldo Contreras," Merritt said. "The officer had a
hostile demeanor and was not prepared to deal with a mental
health crisis ... [the incident] continued to escalate. [Warren]
was within his rights to reject the services of this law
enforcement officer."

Merritt commended the police department for releasing the
footage, saying the video did not change the case much, FOX 44
reported.

"Not much about how we view the case has changed now that we see
additional evidence," Merritt told reporters. "The department of
Killeen and Killeen PD has demonstrated more of who they are,
that the facts as they are they are living to live with, and I
don't think the people of Killeen would agree with that."

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Contreras is on paid leave pending an investigation of the
shooting by Texas Rangers, Kimble told reporters.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

https://www.foxnews.com/us/texas-police-officer-no-choice-
shooting-unarmed-black-man