Sandy MaloneLe Marque, TX – Protests have erupted in response to the officer-involved shooting of a 22-year-old Texas man whom police have said was a pointing a gun at the officer when he was shot.
The incident occurred on the evening of Dec. 9 when officers approached 22-year-old Joshua Feast about an outstanding felony warrant, KHOU reported.
The police report said that Feast was sitting in his car, but that he got out and fled on foot when he saw the officers.
Police said that Feast pointed a gun at Le Marque Police Officer Jose Santos and the officer shot him, KHOU reported.
Neighbors claimed Feast was running away from the officer when he was shot, KHOU reported.
La Marque Police Chief Kirk Jackson told reporters at a press conference after the officer-involved shooting that Feast was a person of interest in multiple shootings, the Associated Press reported.
Chief Jackson said rifles were found at the scene but police have not provided any context as to where the rifles were found or to whom they belonged, KHOU reported.
The chief also confirmed that there is bodycam video from the incident but that it has yet to be released to the public.
Galveston County Sheriff Henry Trochesset said investigators told him the bodycam showed Feast pointed a gun at the Le Marque officer.
On Wednesday, the lawyer for Feast family released the report from an independent autopsy that was commissioned by the family of the dead man, KTRK reported.
The report showed the 22 year old died from a single gunshot wound to the back.
UPDATE: Joshua Feast’s independent autopsy confirms witness accounts that Ofc. Jose Santos fatally shot him in the BACK. He was a defenseless young Black man who was running away. There was NO reason for Santos to shoot and kill him! #JusticeForJoshuaFeast pic.twitter.com/pT7AUg87xQ
— Ben Crump (@AttorneyCrump) December 17, 2020
“It is very consistent with literally what the witness’ accounts were from that night,” notorious anti-police attorney Benjamin Crump told reporters at a news conference on Wednesday. “When it entered, it caused all kinds of damage and literally the injuries caused Joshua Feast to be dead on arrival at the hospital.”
Crump also released dashcam video on Dec. 12 that he said showed the officer who shot Feast beating up a black suspect in 2013.
We won’t stop until all video, inc. body cam footage, is released from the fatal shooting of Joshua Feast by officer Jose Santos. Justice is NOT possible if the investigation continues to operate in secrecy, leaving the public – and Joshua’s family – in the dark. #JoshuaFeast https://t.co/natwfosXi7
— Ben Crump (@AttorneyCrump) December 13, 2020
“We, now based on the results of the independent autopsy and based on the medical records taken from the night that Joshua Feast was killed, are demanding that Officer Santos be terminated immediately,” Crump announced.
We DEMAND La Marque Police Dept terminate Ofc. Jose Santos immediately. He was involved in TWO fatal shootings, inc. Joshua Feast who he fatally shot in the back while Joshua posed NO threat to him! He fired on them and now HE should be FIRED! https://t.co/uocJniAq46 pic.twitter.com/JED6esxXFn
— Ben Crump (@AttorneyCrump) December 16, 2020
Protesters took to the streets on Dec. 12 to demand that the city fire the officer who shot Feast and release the bodycam of the shooting, KHOU reported.
#JoshuaFeast
How I spent my day yesterday #LMPD pic.twitter.com/mj0BXFiM67— Marcia Hyatt. 💙👣 (@MarciaHyatt6) December 13, 2020
Activists also want the mayor to fire Chief Jackson.
The Galveston County Sheriff’s Office and the Galveston County District Attorney’s Office are jointly investigation the officer-involved shooting, the Associated Press reported.
Le Marque police have not released any additional information on the shooting since the chief’s initial statement.
Holly Matkin
