Dion Johnson Family Responds To Phoenix Police Report On DPS Shooting
The family of Dion Johnson, killed in an Arizona Department of Public Safety shooting May 25, held a press conference Thursday to respond to the Phoenix Police Department's report of the incident released Wednesday.
The report details the criminal investigation to date and makes no recommendation for charging Department of Public Safety Trooper George Cervantes in the shooting of 28-year-old Johnson, who was reportedly passed out in the driver's seat of the car when the trooper approached.
The 160-page report provides a detailed account of the event according to Cervantes.
"Why is he still out there patrolling? Could he have worked at the desk? Could he have had a desk job or something else? The question is, 'Had he not been on the street, based on his past, would Dion still be alive today?" said Johnson family attorney Jocquese Blackwell in questioning the trooper's record with DPS.
On Wednesday, the Maricopa County Attorney's Office said it is still reviewing the case.
"I mentioned reasonable objectiveness as it pertains to use of force by officers," Blackwell said. "The issue is whether or not the force that George Cervantes used is necessary. Was the force used necessary?"
At the press conference, Blackwell was joined by Johnson's mother Erma; his sister, Camile Landrum; Black Womens Forum founder and president, Janelle Woods; and local organizer for Justice or Else, Tremikus Muhammad.
Johnson was killed by Department of Public Safety trooper Cervantes after he was found asleep in his car on Loop 101 in Phoenix on May 25. The Phoenix Police Department released a report on July 15, detailing the criminal investigation into the fatal shooting.
The police report states that Cervantes fired two shots. One of them struck Johnson in the abdomen. Cervantes was not wearing a body camera at the time. Johnson died at a hospital a short time later. Cervantes said he removed the weapon but was unable to get the keys out of the ignition. He said he decided to wait for backup but noticed that Johnson was beginning to move. That's when he said he decided he needed to take the driver into custody.
Cervantes is currently on administrative leave.
