DALLAS (AP) — A spokeswoman for the Dallas County prosecutor says the U.S. Justice Department has launched an investigation into the fatal shooting of a Black 15-year-old by a White police officer.
Attorney Daryl Washington, left, speaks on behalf of Jordan Edwards’ (bottom right photo) parents, Charmaine Edwards, center and Odell Edwards during a news in Dallas, Thursday, May 11, 2017. The lawyers for the family of the teen killed by police in Balch Springs spoke to reporters after all met with the Dallas County district attorney. (AP Photo/LM Otero)
Brittany Dunn, a spokeswoman for District Attorney Faith Johnson, confirmed to The Associated Press that the federal agency is conducting the investigation. She said she doesn’t know the scope or focus of the probe, and a Justice Department spokesman didn’t immediately return a message Thursday.
Roy Oliver, a former officer with the Balch Springs Police Department, was fired and charged with murder in the April 29 shooting of Jordan Edwards. Oliver is free on bond awaiting trial on a murder charge.
Edwards’ family and its attorney said Johnson advised them of the federal investigation during a meeting Thursday.