STATEMENT FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE August 9, 2015 Contact: Alisa Simmons 817 939-7288 president@arlingtontxnaacp.org The Arlington NAACP and UT Arlington Branch of the NAACP are deeply concerned and closely monitoring both the criminal and administrative investigations as well as the FBI investigation into the shooting death of 19-year old Christian Taylor as a result of lethal force inflicted by Arlington Police Officer trainee Brad Miller. We extend our heartfelt condolences and our prayers to Christian’s grieving family and friends. The important question is what level of threat did Christian pose that prompted the officer to use a lethal level of force? Christian Taylor is the second African-American man to die at the hands of Arlington Police Department personnel within a five-month period. A jailed and unarmed Jonathan Paul, 42, was left unresponsive in his Arlington jail cell following excessive use of force by jailers on March 9, 2015. Jail video captured the incident yet five months later the footage has yet to be released. In addition, the Tarrant County Medical Examiner’s Report indicates Paul was pepper-sprayed by jailers while being hog-tied; hog-tying is an unauthorized maneuver in the state of Texas. http://www.star-telegram.com/news/local/community/arlington/article24615997 “These kinds of tragedies are always of great concern to us, especially in light of the current national climate”, said Alisa Simmons, president, Arlington NAACP. “We have spent several months collecting facts and waiting on investigators to share information about the Paul case. The Arlington NAACP has pledged to do the same in the Taylor case in an effort to obtain a clearer picture about the responding officer’s decision to use deadly force against Christian,” said Simmons. Arlington NAACP leaders have reviewed the 8:57 minute video footage released to the media by the car dealership. In the estimation of the Arlington NAACP, the only thing that footage does; is establish that the young man was engaged in criminal activity. It does not explain the reason lethal force was used and we are awaiting those findings. The NAACP has asked Arlington Police Chief Will Johnson for the following: •A through yet swift investigation---with the least amount of delay and maximum transparency •We want a clearer picture that explains the rookie officer’s decision to use lethal force and the role of the training officer who was present at the time of the shooting; specifically his guidance or lack thereof • We are renewing our call for City of Arlington to adopt and fund a comprehensive body camera program for all APD officers at the same time establishing an accountability structure The NAACP asks that the Mayor and City Council provide the necessary oversight to ensure that the Taylor Death Investigation does not result in the lengthy delays that we’ve been forced to endure in the Jonathan Paul case; considering the ME’s Report has been completed for months and the excessive force encounter was captured on video. On the anniversary of the death of Michael Brown, it is unfortunate that Arlington joins the ranks of Ferguson, Cleveland, New York City, Baltimore and many other communities in which the lives of unarmed citizens are lost at the hands of law enforcement. The Arlington NAACP will vigorously advocate for those whose civil rights have been violated and we will seek justice in their name.