Black Unarmed Teen David Joseph Shot & Killed in Austin

A tense situation is unfolding in Austin, Texas as details of a police shooting of an unarmed Black teenager on Monday continue to emerge.

David Joseph, 17, was shot and killed by officer Geoffrey Freeman the morning of Feb. 8 according to the American-Statesman.

Initial reports of the shooting didn’t name Joseph or his age, but what has been revealed is that he was naked at the time of the shooting. Freeman, a sergeant with Austin police, and other officers were responding to a call at an apartment complex where a man was reportedly chasing people. Although details are scant, Freeman arrived on the scene and apparently opened fire.

The American-Statesman reports:

A man fatally shot Monday by an Austin police sergeant was not armed at the time of the incident, three sources told the American-Statesman and KVUE-TV today.

Officials had said at the scene that they did not know whether the man, who was naked at the time, had a weapon when he was shot in North Austin.

However, the sources, who were not authorized to speak because of the ongoing investigation, said investigators have since confirmed the unidentified man did not have a weapon.

Officer Freeman offered a statement at the scene of the shooting and is expected to deliver a lengthier statement to investigators this week. The shooting has prompted protests and voiced concerns from the local NAACP chapter regarding police procedures.

Austin police chief of staff Brian Manley referred to the incident as a tragedy but did not offer much more beyond general statements in the case.

According to The Guardian’s The Counted database, 106 people have been killed by police in 2016 so far.

SOURCE: American-Statesman | PHOTO CREDIT: Getty | VIDEO CREDIT: Inform

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