TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WTXL) - The family of Corey Jones is struggling to understand why the 31-year-old was shot and killed by a police officer after his car broke down on a Florida highway.
It happened about 3:15 a.m. Sunday.
Jones was on the side of Interstate 95. His brother says Jones called him for help saying he needed a tow truck.
Palm Beach Gardens Police Chief Stephen Stepp says Officer Nouman Raja, who was on duty but wearing plain clothes and driving an unmarked police car, stopped to investigate what he thought was an abandoned vehicle on the exit ramp.
"As the officer exited his vehicle he was suddenly confronted by an armed subject," said Chief Stepp. "As a result of the confrontation, the officer discharged his firearm resulting in the death of Mr. Corey Jones."
Now the Black Caucus wants a state investigation into the incident.
"We now call upon to immediately start an independent investigation and restore the public's confidence in Palm beach gardens investigation," said Rep. Ed Narain, Chair of the Florida Legislative Black Caucus. "It is these types of delays and lack of evidence that continue to create distrust between communities of color and local police departments. It's a source of anguish and frustration for black people nationwide, and legislative action enforcement appears to be the only proper remedy."
Police have not said how many shots were fired, how Jones was armed or what kind of weapon was recovered from the scene.
They are also saying that there is no dash cam or body cam video of the encounter.
