Texas police officer charged with fatally shooting Pamela Turner

A Texas police officer who fatally shot Pamela Turner has been charged with first-degree aggravated assault by a public servant in connection to her murder.

On May 13, 2019 Officer Juan Delacruz encountered Turner, 44, while on patrol and knew that she had warrants out for her arrest.

A witness cellphone video of the encounter that was posted on social media showed Delacruz, who was on duty and in uniform, approach Pamela Turner and attempt to handcuff her as she shouted, “I’m walking. I’m actually walking to my house.” Before the officer could handcuff Turner, she broke free but only took several steps before Delacruz caught up to her.

“You’re actually harassing me. Why? Why?” she said just before the officer deployed a stun gun on Turner.

During a struggle that ensued, Turner yelled out, “I’m pregnant.” As Delacruz attempted to handcuff her again, Turner allegedly appeared to reach for his stun gun and the officer moved back and out of the frame of the camera. The footage captured the sound of five shots ringing out.

An autopsy by the Harris County Medical Examiner’s office found Turner was shot multiple times and ruled her death a homicide. The post-mortem examination found she was not pregnant.

Delacruz was immediately placed on paid administrative leave. But within a week of the shooting, he was back at work on desk duty.

Turner’s family said she suffered from mental illness and has maintained her fatal shooting was an “unjustifiable execution”.

Benjamin Crump, a civil rights attorney hired by the family, said Turner was diagnosed with schizophrenia in 2005, and the family believes she was suffering a mental episode when she was confronted by the officer.

Antoinette Dorsey-Jones, one of Turner’s sisters, described her as a kind, loving and gentle person who was begging the officer to leave her alone.

“She’s not a monster,” Dorsey-Jones said. “Don’t believe what they are saying.”

Harris County District Attorney Kim Ogg said the shooting was investigated by her office’s civil rights division and the Texas Rangers.

“Ultimately, we presented all of the evidence to a grand jury that determined the Baytown Police officer should be charged with a crime for his actions when he shot Ms. Turner,” Ogg said in a written statement. “We respect their decision and we will be moving forward with prosecution.”

Delacruz posted bond and is expected to appear in court on Oct. 28.

If convicted, Delacruz faces 5 years to life in prison