(James Pinkerton, Houston Chronicle)
Houston Police Chief Charles McClelland has asked the FBI to investigate the fatal weekend shooting by a patrolman of a double-amputee in a wheelchair who threatened officers with a silver pen.
The chief contacted FBI Special Agent in Charge Stephen Morris early Saturday morning and notified him of the shooting involving someone he described as a “violent person,” confirmed FBI spokeswoman Shauna Dunlap. McClelland asked the FBI to monitor HPD’s internal inquiry and conduct a parallel investigation into the incident.
“As I have done throughout my tenure as police chief, to the extent I can, the Houston Police Department will be open and transparent in all aspects of our response to this tragic event,” McClelland said in a press statement.
Meanwhile, two separate civil rights groups demanded independent investigations into Saturday’s shooting of Brian C. Claunch, 45, who was unarmed and mentally ill. The Texas Civil Rights Project-Houston said the public is entitled to a “full and open” review of the circumstances of the shooting.
“There needs to be a serious investigation into why a Houston police officer is shooting a double-amputee in a wheelchair down in cold blood,” said staff attorney Wayne Krause Yang. “TCRP is very concerned about what policies and training led two fully armed police officers to lose control of a situation with a man with one arm, one leg, one felt tip pen that should have been routinely handled.” [….]
(Read the rest of this story at the Houston Chronicle)
OTHER COVERAGE OF THIS STORY:
- Shooting of Mentally Ill Amputee Angers Activists (KTRK 13 News)
- Outrage Growing at Mentally-Ill Man’s Death at Hands of HPD (KRIV 26 News)
- HPD Chief: ‘Wait & See’ In Police Shooting Of Disabled Man (KUHF Public Radio)
- Activists Want Investigation After Officer Shoots, Kills Amputee (KPRC 2 News)
- HPD Stands Behind Officer Who Fatally Shot Wheelchair Bound Amputee (KHOU 11 News)
OTHER LOCAL HEADLINES:
- HISD hits the road to sell huge bond issue (KHOU 11 News)
Weekend Flare Burn-Off Not Unusual For Nearby Residents (KUHF Public Radio)- Mom takes son’s paddling straight to the top (KRIV 26 News)
- Expert: Hurricane Season For Houston May Be Over (KUHF Public Radio)
- M.D. Anderson Cancer Center Will Use Reduced Mortality As New Measure Of Research Success (KUHF Public Radio)
- Researchers find link between breast, ovarian cancer (KPRC 2 News)
- Friends step in to help young man with epilepsy (KTRK 13 News)
- Fundraiser assists wounded troops (Your Houston News)
STATE, NATION & WORLD
- Perry endorses four-year tuition freeze (Austin Statesman)
- Texas SAT Scores Drop, but Participation Rates Surge (Texas Tribune)
- Studies more firmly tie sugary drinks to obesity (Austin Statesman)
Fewer young adults abusing prescription drugs (CNN)- The Ugly Truth About Food Waste in America (NPR)
- U.S. Warning to Hospitals on Medicare Bill Abuses (New York Times)
- Report: Premium hikes for top Medicare drug plans (AP)
- UN adopts vague Rule of Law statement, disappoints activists (TrustLaw/Reuters)