HOUSTON – How can Houston police justify shooting a wheelchair-bound, mentally ill, double amputee to death?
Community activist Quanell X says they can't. Houston police union president Ray Hunt says conclusions should wait until an investigation is complete. Former Houston police officer Tom Nixon says the officers' mistakes created the deadly confrontation.
Those are just a few of the comments in this week's Houston Newsmakers with Khambrel Marshall.
Brian Claunch was the 45-year-old shot to death after police say he refused to drop what they thought was a weapon. He was actually holding an ink pen.
That shooting sparked week long protests from various communities demanding answers. This week's panel engages in a lively discussion about the blame for the death, what steps could or should have been taken to avoid it and what needs to happen to keep it from happening again.
Brian Claunch was diagnosed with schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, one of more than 170,000 in Harris County with that same disease. Did you know that Texas ranks 50th among states in per capita mental health funding and Harris County is among the lowest of Texas Counties?
Dr. Seven Schnee is the Executive Director of the Mental Health and Mental Retardation Authority of Harris County, and joins the program this week to call attention to the challenges of the mentally ill and the organization tasked with helping them.
Also this week, the president of the undefeated Houston Texans! Jamey Rootes talks about getting back into home action with NFL referees and not replacements, efforts made to make sure there is no more falling signage at Reliant Stadium and the winning business game plan that goes along with winning on the field.
It is a fast moving and informative half hour! Watch Houston Newsmakers with Khambrel Marshall Sunday at 10 a.m., right after Meet the Press with David Gregory.
More Information:
- Ray Hunt, President, Houston Police Officers Union, 832-200-3400, www.hpou.org
- Tom Nixon, Law Practice of Thomas Nixon 713-893-4439, www.tnixonlaw.com
- Steven Schnee, Ph.D. , Exec. Dir. MHMRA of Harris County 713-970-7000, www.mhmraharris.org
- Quanell X, Community Activist, http://www.qxjustice.com/
- Jamey Rootes, President, Houston Texans HCC 832-667-2002, www.houstontexans.com