Family of Pamela Turner files federal civil lawsuit

Nearly two years after Pamela Turner was killed by a Baytown, Texas Police officer, her family is filing a federal lawsuit against the city and Juan Delacruz, the officer who pulled the trigger in 2019.

In a video that has since gone viral, Officer Delacruz is seen standing over Turner after a struggle, firing several rounds.

“He could have said ‘Freeze. Stop.’ Anything. He shot five times at point blank range. Five times at point blank range. Putting three bullets in the body of this unarmed Black woman,” attorney Benjamin Crump said.

Crump says Turner was known to have mental illness, and was worth de-escalation. Their goal is to fight for her justice, on her birthday, and always.

“Today is a very hard day for me and my family, as we should be celebrating my mom’s 46th birthday. Instead, we’re here once again in front of all of you, demanding justice for the life that was taken from her. Not only taken from her, but taken from us,” Turner’s daughter, Chelsie Rubin, said.

Delacruz has been charged with felony aggravated assault by a public servant. He was indicted by a Harris County grand jury in September 2020.

His next court date is set for May 25.

On May 13, the two-year anniversary of Turner’s death, Crump, Breonna Taylor‘s mother, Trae Tha Truth and a number of others, will march through Baytown, demanding accountability for Turner’s death.