In January 2020, North Texas police responded to an apartment complex incident and ended up tasing, shooting and killing 23-year-old college student Darius Tarver. A grand jury has since decided not to indict the unnamed officer involved in the shooting, according to The Associated Press.
On the day in question, witnesses claim that a young man was banging on doors, damaging property and exhibiting erratic behavior. Denton police were called to the apartment, where Tarver was allegedly wielding “a frying pan and a cleaver,” and refusing to drop them. Tarver was tased by a stun gun twice before the deadly shooting occurred, which can be seen on body camera footage.
Civil rights lawyer Lee Merritt stands with the family of Tarver and represents his case. Merritt suggests that Tarver was suffering from a brain injury that resulted from a bad car accident.
#DariusTarver survived a near fatal car accident only to be killed a week later by police.
Press conference today Tuesday 11AM The Sanctuary 6633 Virginia Pkwy #102 McKinney TX 75070 concerning the shooting death of 23 year old UNT Denton student Darius Tarver. pic.twitter.com/Jh4QCseRyu
— S. Lee Merritt, Esq. (@MeritLaw) February 11, 2020
After being released from the ICU too soon, Merritt argues that his brain injury led to Tarver’s strange behavior. According to CBD Dallas/Fort Worth, some his “behavior” included isolating himself and mumbling incoherently, which led to his roommate calling 911 for help.
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“The mentally impaired are among the most vulnerable communities in our society,” Merritt wrote in a release. “First responders are required to recognize signs of mental health crisis and engage citizens suffering such episodes with care and professionalism.” Tarver’s father, Kevin Tarver is also demanding justice for his son, saying that the body cam footage proves his son was “not being aggressive.”
An internal investigation was started by Denton police to determine whether officers followed policy, and should be wrapping up soon, the department said in a written statement. However, the unnamed officer involved in the shooting of Tarver is currently on administrative leave.
A student at the University of North Texas, Tarver was majoring in criminal justice and a member of the National Organization of Black Law Enforcement.
