Attorney questions trooper's shooting story
MISSION — A state trooper who shot a man suspected of driving drunk north of the city last month returned to work Monday amid lingering questions about the incident.
A lawyer for motorist Jesus Garza challenged the Texas Department of Public Safety on its story that the trooper feared for his life, saying his client’s injuries don’t support that version of events.
“My client was shot in the hand and back as he was running away,” attorney Sergio Sanchez said. “That officer shot to kill. He was not in danger.
“His adrenaline took control of rational thought and my client lies in the ICU as a result.”
Garza was shot twice as he fled attempts to stop him Oct. 24 on suspicion of drunk driving, local DPS spokesman Johnny Hernandez said.
Investigators believe the trooper attempted to pull over the man’s Ford Taurus just before 9 p.m. on a residential street just south of Mile 5 Road North to administer a field sobriety test.
Garza allegedly stopped his car and ran off on foot to a nearby residence. A struggle ensued and the trooper fired multiple shots to protect himself, Hernandez said.
The trooper was placed on administrative leave while the Texas Rangers investigated the circumstances, but Hernandez described his return to work this week as a matter of protocol.
“It’s pretty routine in any law enforcement department for an officer to be placed on leave after he is involved in a shooting,” he said.
Garza remained hospitalized as of late Monday afternoon. Criminal charges have not yet been filed against him.
Sanchez said his family is considering a lawsuit against DPS as soon as Garza recovers fully. The Texas Rangers continue to investigate the shooting.
“Should my client have run away? Probably not,” he said. “But that doesn’t give an officer the green light to kill, which is exactly what he tried to do.”
