Texas Cop Reportedly Shoots Man in the Head, Family Demands Answers

Michael Dean, 28, of Temple died Monday night after he reportedly was shot in the head by a Temple Police officer during a traffic stop.

Michael Dean police shooting details

The officer, who has nine years of experience on the force, had not been identified as of Friday afternoon.

Dean’s mother, Christine Dean, hss claimed a Temple Police detective told her that her son didn’t have a gun and didn’t pose a danger to the officer who shot him.

“If my son was in the wrong, so be it,” Christine Dean said.

“But why is he dead? He didn’t deserve to be shot down. Nobody can give me answers. If he was in the wrong there would a whole story out there, wouldn’t there?”.

Temple Police has shared few details about the incident and referred media questions to the Texas Department of Public Safety.

Michael Dean police shooting Investigation

The investigation has been turned over to the Texas Rangers and the Bell County District Attorney’s Office.

“At this time the investigation is still ongoing; any new information will be released when warranted as to not compromise the investigation.” DPS Sgt. Bryan Washko said.

Information released late

Newsone reports, the Temple Police Department didn’t release information that someone was killed in an officer-involved shooting until Tuesday afternoon.

When questioned as to why this was omitted from the initial news release after Dean had already been declared dead, spokesman Chris Christoff said the incident occurred in public, “meaning that the vehicle had the potential of being easily recognizable. We wanted an opportunity to notify Dean’s family prior to releasing the information to the public.”

Christine Dean said the cops didn’t tell the family that Michael was dead until about 1:30 a.m., which was more than five hours after he was shot. He was pronounced dead at 8:26 p.m., shortly after he was shot at around 8:15 p.m.

Christoff’s reasoning for the late family notification was “The area was subject to extensive investigative procedure to include stabilizing the scene; maintaining the flow of traffic; contacting and the arrival of all the necessary resources and off-duty personnel to include justice of the peace; contacting all of the investigators to the scene to include the Texas Rangers; and confirming the identity of the deceased and the identifies/contact inform for next of kin.”

Family demands justice

Michael was adopted by his family at four years old along with his four siblings.

“He’s not a criminal. He wasn’t out there committing crimes,” his mother said.

“They’re making it seem like he was a bad person.”

“I feel like someone messed up. I really do,” Christine said.

“Why did my son died on the concrete? I’ve never heard of anyone not giving information about their loved one. If he did something wrong and you had to do it, so be it — but tell me.”

Dean leaves behind three children.