Texas Officer Charged With Murder In Fatal Shooting Of Unarmed Black Teenager

BALCH SPRINGS, TX — A Texas police officer was charged with murder on Friday in connection to the shooting of a black teenager in a Dallas suburb.

The arrest warrant for the officer follows an April 29 incident during which since-fired officer Roy Oliver shot at a car filled with teenagers that was leaving a party with his police rifle, fatally shooting 15-year-old Jordan Edwards. Oliver initially claimed the car initially was backed up toward him in an aggressive fashion, but the police chief later debunked the account based of an internal investigation that included study of bodycam footage disputing the claim.

"An arrest warrant for murder was issued today, May 5, 2017, for Roy Oliver," a statement from a police spokeswoman began. "The warrant was issued due to evidence that suggested Mr. Oliver intended to cause serious bodily injury and commit an act clearly dangerous to human life that caused the death of an individual"

The statement continued to say that any state peace officer is able to execute Oliver's arrest unless he turned himself into authorities first.

"The warrant gives any peace officer the authority to arrest Roy Oliver for the crime of murder," the statement continues. "Mr. Oliver can also turn himself in to any peace officer if he so chooses. The investigation into the death of Jordan Edwards will continue and does not conclude with the arrest of Roy Oliver."

Late Friday, Oliver turned himself into the Parker County Jail located some 95 miles from Dallas. He was released after posting bail on a $300,000 bond.

Since the fatal shooting, reports have emerged of Oliver's past displays of temperament. Police records obtained by the Associated Press reveal Oliver was briefly suspended in 2013 following a complaint about his conduct while serving as a witness in a drunk-driving case. Consequently, the former officer also was ordered to take training courses in anger management and courtroom demeanor and testimony.

Efforts to assist the boy's family with funeral expenses have emerged. One GoFundMe page was nearing it's goal of raising $5,000 to assist the teenager's family in the wake of his untimely death.

In response to the murder charge being brought against Oliver, the family of Jordan Edwards released the following statement:

Related stories:

Texas Officer Fatally Shoots 15-Year-Old Sitting In Car: Police

Police Chief Fires Dallas-Area Officer Who Fatally Shot Black Teen In Car

Photo: Monica Tunstle-Garrett, left, of Mesquite, Texas, and Al Woolum, right of North Richland Hills, Texas, light candles as the arrive at a vigil for Jordan Edwards in Balch Springs, Texas, Thursday, May 4, 2017. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)