Jordan Edwards Shooting: Officer Roy Oliver Charged with Murder

Texas Police Officer Roy Oliver has been charged with murder after shooting teenager Jordan Edwards, who was a passenger in a car as it drove away from a house party in Dallas.

Roy Oliver opened fire on the vehicle, killing 15-year-old Jordan Edwards, with a single bullet in the head on April 29.

Police initially said the car reversed “aggressively” towards the officer, but then admitted that was not the case.

The police use of lethal force against African Americans has been a subject of fierce protest and debate for years.

Image source Mesquite Independent School District

The Dallas County Sheriff’s Office issued a warrant for Roy Oliver’s arrest on May 5.

In a statement, the office said there was evidence to suggest Roy Oliver “intended to cause serious bodily injury and commit an act clearly dangerous to human life that caused the death of an individual”.

The tragedy unfolded after police responded to reports of underage drinking at a house party in Balch Springs, a Dallas suburb.

Officers were inside the home trying to find the owner when they heard what they believed to be gunshots, and people began to flee from the house in panic.

Jordan Edwards was with his two brothers and two other friends in a car that left the party at this time.

Roy Oliver opened fire with a rifle, shooting Jordan Edwards as he sat in the front passenger seat.

The police officer was fired by the department earlier in the week.

A vigil was held for Jordan Edwards on May 4.