Texas Police Officer Shoots Emotionally Distressed Black Man, Family Wants Cop Arrested

The family of Patrick Warren is calling for the arrest of the police officer who was sent to their home on Sunday. They called the Killeen police at around 5:30 p.m. on Sunday asking police to send in a mental health professional but a different officer was dispatched since there was no one available at the time.

It turns out that it was not the first time that the Warren family had sought assistance. A day before the Jan. 10 shooting, they had already called the police who sent a mental health officer. Warren voluntarily agreed to go to the hospital but later returned home.

But the next day, it appeared the family was still concerned about Warren’s condition. This was when they asked the police again but no mental health officer was available.

Instead, a police officer identified as Ronaldo Contreras was sent. After learning Contreras was not a mental health officer he was asked to leave. However, things just went differently from there as can be seen in video footage.

“There’s no reason that a mental health call like this should result in a fatality. Mr. Warren was not aggressive. Mr. Warren was not armed. He was in his home; he was on his lawn. He was within his rights to reject the services of law enforcement after they arrived," Warren family attorney Lee Merritt said at a press conference.

In the video, Warren could be seen coming out waving his hands. Contreras ordered him to get down on the ground but continued to walk. The officer used his Tazer gun to immobilize Warren but had a minimal effect. Contreras used his gun instead and several shots were fired.

The wife of Patrick Warren, Bobbie, later explained that her husband was suffering from emotional distress. He had just lost his job due to the pandemic and was struggling to provide for his family.

Contreras has been placed on administrative leave which is standard procedure in officer-involved shootings. The family wants him arrested as they seek justice for the inexplicable shooting of Patrick Warren.

"This incident is rightfully of great concern to the community. As Killeen Police Chief, it is my duty to ensure a thorough investigation is conducted so that all parties, including the public, have the answers they seek. There are many more facts in this case that are not publicly available at this time," Killeen Police Chief Charles Kimble said in a statement.