US Police officer charged with murder for shooting African-American teen
Police officer Roy Oliver has been charged with murder for shooting a teenager as he rode away from a party in Dallas, US. Police initially claimed Oliver opened fire as the car was reversing "aggressively" towards him, but later recanted the statement. Jordan Edwards, 15, died after being hit by a bullet on his head. An arrest warrant has been issued for Oliver.
Edwards was shot without apparent provocation
The incident happened after police responded to reports of underage drinking at a Balch Springs party. As personnel searched for the owner inside the house, what sounded like gun shots were heard, and people, including Edwards, his brothers and their friends, started fleeing. Oliver then opened fire at a car where Edwards was sitting in the front passenger seat. The officer was later fired.
Over 250 black people killed by police in 2016
Use of lethal force against African-Americans, often unwarranted, gained prominence in 2015, with the high-profile cases of Michael Brown, Eric Garner, Walter Scott and Freddie Gray. At least 39 of the over 250 black people killed by cops in 2016 were unarmed. A Guardian report found that black males aged 15-34 were nine times more likely to be killed by police, than other Americans.
