15-year-old boy killed in officer-involved shooting in Balch Springs
Community members are asking questions about why an officer fired into a car, killing a 15-year-old boy.
According to Balch Springs police, officers responded to a report of intoxicated teenagers on a residential street in the 12300 block of Baron Drive at 11 p.m. Saturday. Neighbors said a large house party was underway at that time.
Police say when officers arrived on the street, they heard gunfire and then a car filled with passengers back towards them.
"There was an unknown altercation with the vehicle backing down the road towards the officers in an aggressive manner. An officer shot at the vehicle, striking a front seat passenger. The individual was transported to the hospital where he was pronounced deceased," according to a news release by the Balch Springs police.
Balch Springs police did not identify the officer involved, but they say he has been placed on administrative leave.
Police are not identifying the boy, but friends say he was 15-year-old Jordan Edwards. Many of his coaches and community members showed up at the news conference Sunday afternoon demanding answers from authorities and expressing frustration at a lack of information.
"Great kid. Awesome parents. He was not a thug. This shouldn't happen to him," said Chris Cano, whose son played football with Edwards.
Balch Springs Police Chief Jonathan Haber said he has already met with the family of the boy and has expressed his condolences. The department immediately turned over its investigation into the incident to the Dallas County Sheriff's Department.
Balch Springs did not offer any further explanation for why the officer felt threatened, but Attorney Lee Merritt, who is representing the Edwards family, disputed the police account. He said there was no aggression from the vehicle. He also said none of the occupants in the vehicle were armed.
"They were simply leaving a party where they believed danger was, so I can't wrap my mind around why an officer decided to shoot into the car," said Merritt.
Merritt said the Edwards family wants to see police body cam footage and wants better answers for how the incident unfolded. He said one of Jordan Edwards' brothers was also riding in the vehicle, and the driver was also 15-years-old.
WFAA reached out to the Dallas County Sheriff's Department, but have not yet heard back on their investigation.
