KILLEEN, Texas – An officer with the Killeen Police Department shot and killed an unarmed Black man Sunday in what was supposed to be a response to a mental health call, according to media reports.
The following statement can be attributed to Sarah Labowitz, policy & advocacy director for the ACLU of Texas:
“Mr. Warren’s killing is part of the deadly and disturbing pattern of excessive force -- disproportionately against Black people -- when they are in the midst of a mental health crisis.
“Patrick Warren Sr. deserves justice. The Killeen Police Department knew in advance that Mr. Warren was experiencing a mental health crisis. Mr. Warren was on his property. The Killeen Police Department killed Mr. Warren in front of his family.
“Mr. Warren’s killing comes at a critical moment for police accountability in Texas. We must pass the George Floyd Act, improve officer training and accountability, and ensure that trained mental health professionals -- not police officers -- are not on the front lines of mental health calls.”
