26-Year Old Man Allegedly With Gun And Pizza Box Shot By Raleigh Police, Leads To Protest
A young man running with a pizza box and gun in his hand was shot by officers after being chased down, according to Raleigh’s Chief of Police. The incident stirred up protest in the city that caused minor damage.
It was originally reported that the cops shot a young teenager over a stolen pizza near a Sheetz gas station but the authorities has now cleared up those claims.
A statement from the department confirmed that it was 26-year-old Javier Torres, who was shot by Raleigh police Tuesday around 6:45 p.m. on N. Rogers Lane near the Edgewater Place shopping center.
Officers said Torres ran with a pizza box and a gun in his hand. The police begin chasing him.
According to police, Torres was ordered to stop repeatedly and to drop his gun.
“The officer initially asked Mr. Torres to stop,” Deck-Brown said. “That was the initial line of communication.”
Torres was shot once in the abdomen and taken to WakeMed.
According to ABC 11 News, protesters seemed to think Torres was shot while he was unarmed. More than likely, after seeing a video (which has now been removed) uploaded on social media by a witness.
The video also showed friends of Torres arriving at the scene and they were distraught!
Deck-Brown spoke on the shooting and subsequent protests Wednesday morning and said the officer’s body-worn camera was activated. A judge authorized the release of dash and body cam video from four officers who responded to the scene.
There has been sources saying that the cops shot him for allegedly stealing the pizza but later finding out that the pizza was paid for. This claim has not been confirmed, in fact the chief states that the 911 caller only spoke of a gun.
We will keep y’all updated as more information comes available.
Here’s the press conference with the chief via CBS 17:
