Officer Fatally Shoots 15-year-old in Balch Springs

On Saturday, a 15-year-old boy was fatally shot by the police. The incident has sparked cause for concern among the public, as officials have released a story that conflicts with the family’s account of what happened that night.

According to The Washington Post, authorities say they arrived at the 12300 block of Baron Drive in Balch Springs shortly after receiving a call around 11 p.m., citing several drunk teens in the area. Upon arrival, officials reportedly heard gunshots and noticed a vehicle backing down the street “toward the officers in an aggressive manner,” prompting one of the officers to shoot at the vehicle. The shot pierced through the vehicle, striking the front passenger, who has been identified as 15-year-old Jordan Edwards.

Edwards was transported to a local hospital where he later died.

On the other hand, representation for Edwards’ family contested the authorities’ story, saying the five teens in the car were only backing out of a parking space, rather than driving aggressively. Lee Merritt spoke with the Washington Post to reveal the family’s account of the Saturday night shooting, revealing Edwards, his older brother, and three other teens were at a party before they heard the police were on their way. Shortly after, they went to the car, saw the police lights and heard gunshots. As they tried to get into the vehicle, Merritt says they heard someone yell curses at them just before officers opened fire.

Merritt says the teens tried to get away, but they only made it about a block before they saw smoke coming from Edwards’ head. The driver, Edwards’ older brother, then got out of the car to get help. The teens had not been drinking.  

According to The Washington Post, the incident is under investigation and several cameras have been turned over to the sheriff’s office to get the accurate account of the incident. However, in recent years, reports say firing in a moving vehicle has been advised against, as the risk of striking an innocent individual is too high.

“On behalf of the entire Balch Springs Police Department and the city of Balch Springs we express our sincere condolences with the family,” the police chief said in a news conference, revealing the officer, whose name has not been released, was placed on administrative leave. “I have reached out and personally met and spoken with the parents and expressed my condolences as well.”

On Monday, the Dallas District Attorney released a statement, saying “The Dallas County District Attorney’s Office’s Public Integrity Unit includes a specialized group of experienced attorneys and investigators. The Civil Rights Team responds to all officer involved shooting in Dallas County to conduct an impartial and independent investigation.

As such, the Dallas County District Attorney’s Office is investigating the death of Jordan Edwards. We offer our sincere condolences to Jordan’s family and will continue to keep them in our thoughts and prayers as we move forward expeditiously, with a commitment to justice and transparency. “