ARLINGTON (WBAP & KLIF News) — There are now two conflicting stories regarding an officer involved shooting in Arlington earlier this month.
Arlington Police say an officer shot and killed 23-year-old Tavis Crane after a traffic stop on February 1. The department says Crane resisted arrest and ran over an officer after putting his car in reverse, then ran her over again fleeing the scene. That officer suffered serious injuries and broken bones, but is alive and recovering.
A backup officer was able to enter the car from the rear-passenger side while Crane tried to flee and eventually shot him. But attorney Lee Merritt says witnesses in the car saw it differently, and now they’re demanding to see the dash cam video.
“We’ve asked either to release the footage or have someone meet with the family and explain why that’s not possible and answer questions about the death of their son,” Merritt said. “They’ve declined to do that.”
Merritt released a statement that says the police have been “callous and dismissive regarding the cry for understanding from the family.” Arlington Police responded, saying in a statement of their own that they attempted to contacted Crane’s mother multiple times from the beginning of their investigation, but were unable to make direct contact. The department also says dash cam requests are coordinated through the Tarrant County District Attorney’s office.
The family, their attorneys, and other Arlington citizens held a sit-in at the police department Wednesday to express their frustration with the way Crane’s investigation has been handled.
“It wasn’t the family who was avoiding their calls or failing to respond or the legal representation being unavailable,” Merritt said. “But it’s been the Arlington Police Department who has shown a lack of transparency and lack of responsibility in dealing with this family.”