HOUSTON – Jalen Randle’s family and community members spoke during a news conference and protest after a grand jury declined to indict the Houston Police Department Officer involved in the 2022 shooting for the second time.
On Oct. 18, for a second time, a Harris County grand jury decided to take no action against Houston police officer Shane Privette, who is accused of shooting Randle to death on April 27, 2022.
Tiffany Rachal, Randle’s mother, spoke Monday during the protest, demanding that Officer Privette be held accountable for the deadly shooting.
“Chief Finner, your statement that my son’s death would not be in vain was very accurate. His tragic passing should serve as a catalyst for change within the unjust system. We must eliminate secret juries, establish a centralized database for bodycam footage, accessible to both (the) police department and legal representatives, and ensure that any officers involved in the shooting or misconduct (are) suspended without pay until a court-supervised investigation is concluded,” Rachal said. “Today, we demand that Officer Shane Privette be released immediately from his duties. Criminal charges must be filed by DA Kim Ogg.”
See the full news conference below:
The family also asked for the United States Department of Justice to file federal charges against Privette.
Several of Randle’s family members attended the protest, along with community and Black Lives Matter members. They all chanted, held posters and wore t-shirts in support of Randle.
What Happened?
On April 27, members of the HPD Narcotics Division Tactical Team were searching for Randle, who was reportedly a fugitive wanted on three felony warrants.
Officers said they saw Randle get into the passenger side of a silver vehicle, which left the location. When officers tried to stop the vehicle, the driver refused, leading officers on a chase. Investigators said officers then performed a PIT maneuver, which blocked the vehicle and made the suspects come to a stop. When Randle exited the vehicle from the passenger side, investigators said Privette discharged his weapon one time, shooting the suspect.
In the bodycam video released by HPD, officers can be seen pulling up to the suspect’s vehicle and one officer can be heard yelling, “Aye, let me see your hands.” While the officer yelled the command, a gunshot could be heard and the suspect was seen falling to the ground. The same officer who yelled the command could also be heard yelling an expletive after the firearm was discharged.
The video shows the officers then running towards the injured suspect, placing him in handcuffs, before dragging him a few feet across the sidewalk. Shortly after, one officer could be heard asking for a medical team.
According to investigators, Randle was in possession of a bag that had a gun inside.
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