Fort Worth Police Chief Neil Noakes held a press conference on Tuesday, providing further information about the officer-involved shooting that occurred last week, resulting in the deaths of two men and injuries to four others. Chief Noakes outlined the events leading up to the shooting and shed light on the actions of the officers involved.
According to Chief Noakes, the incident unfolded on the night of July 4 when a Fort Worth police officer and a Fort Worth Fire Department Arson Investigator were working together to address reports of illegal fireworks activity. Responding to a call about a block party at the intersection of Ross Avenue and NW 32nd Street, the officers interacted with the residents but found no evidence of illegal fireworks at that location.
In the early hours of July 5th, while en route to another call regarding illegal fireworks, the officers passed by the same intersection. It was then that the police officer noticed a Hispanic male walking with apparent injuries, holding a handgun. Simultaneously, they observed a black male pointing a gun at an individual near an SUV. The officers also received a 911 call reporting a fight and shots fired at the same location.
Chief Noakes emphasized that the investigation is ongoing, and the department has not yet determined whether the officers' use of force was justified. The case will be presented to a Tarrant County grand jury once the investigation is complete. In the interest of transparency, the department released portions of the body-camera footage to the public.
The initial shots were fired by the officer in response to hearing another gunshot, observing an injured person, and witnessing a man with a gun who appeared ready to shoot someone. The suspect, identified as Bill Jaquan Smith, 21, succumbed to multiple gunshot wounds at the scene.
Additional shots were heard in the body-camera footage, as both the arson investigator and the officer fired at a second individual, identified as Bronshay Minter, 30. Minter was struck by multiple bullets but managed to flee before collapsing. He was later pronounced dead at John Peter Smith Hospital.
During the investigation, authorities recovered a handgun from Smith's hand and another firearm on the ground near Minter. Used shell casings were also found in close proximity to Minter's gun. The arson investigator pursued Minter and discovered another injured individual, whom he assisted. Meanwhile, the officer found a man on the curb who had been shot, stabbed, and beaten.
Chief Noakes clarified that the officer approached the scene cautiously to assess the situation and only ran towards it upon hearing gunshots. The identities of the officer and the arson investigator were not disclosed, but the police confirmed that the officer has been with the department for 14 years, while the investigator has served in the fire department for six years and is a military veteran.
The investigation into the officer-involved shooting remains ongoing as the Fort Worth Police Department aims to gather all relevant facts surrounding the incident.
