HOUSTON – A Baytown police officer was indicted Monday in connection with the fatal shooting of Pamela Turner last year.
A Harris County grand jury indicted Officer Juan Delacruz on a charge of first-degree aggravated assault by a public servant in the May 13, 2019, shooting.
According to investigators, Delacruz encountered Turner, 44, while on patrol and knew that she had warrants out for her arrest. Turner resisted arrest and was able to get hold of Delacruz’s Taser and shock him with it, investigators said. Investigators said that was when Delacruz fired, killing Turner.
RELATED: Video shows confrontation between Baytown officer, woman before deadly shooting
Turner’s family said she suffered from mental illness.
Harris County District Attorney Kim Ogg said the shooting was investigated by not only her office’s civil rights division but also by the Texas Rangers.
“Ultimately, we presented all of the evidence to a grand jury that determined the Baytown Police officer should be charged with a crime for his actions when he shot Ms. Turner,” Ogg said in a written statement. “We respect their decision and we will be moving forward with prosecution.”
Ogg said Delacruz is being given the opportunity to turn himself in to authorities for arraignment.
Nationally renowned attorney Ben Crump, who represents the families of George Floyd, Ahmaud Arbery and more, is also representing Turner’s family. After the indictment was announced, Crump released a statement saying “justice delayed is justice denied.”
“Finally, Pamela Turner; her children, Chelsie Rubin and Cameron January; her sister, Antoinette Dorsey-James; and the rest of Pamela’s family, can receive the justice to which they are entitled,” Crump said in part. Turner is also being represented by noted civil rights attorney Devon M. Jacob.
Houston rapper and activist Trae The Truth says the charge of aggravated assault is not what they had hoped for but it’s a start.
“I don’t know how they could feel comfortable with aggravated assault she wasn’t aggressive she was screaming for her life," he said. "I think these days it’s important to have someone trained positions to de-escalate situations like this.”
This developing story will be updated.