Farmers Branch officer accused of murdering teen bonds out of jail
A Farmers Branch officer bonded out of jail the same day funeral services were held for the teenager he fatally shot.
Farmers Branch Officer Ken Johnson was arrested Wednesday and faces murder and aggravated assault charges.
The family of slain teen Jose Cruz was not happy at what they believe was a low bond amount for Johnson. Hundreds turned out for the Cruz’s funeral on Thursday.
“We're extremely concerned that the bond was so low,” said Cruz family legal advisor Shayan Elahi. “The family's devastated by that. This is a person who just killed their child in cold blood and everybody’s seen video of it and pictures of it and now he's walking the street on $15,000. That’s what he paid to get out.”
Johnson also wounded the 16-year-old with Cruz, Edgar Rodriguez.
The shooting happened Sunday in Addison after the teens were chased from Johnson’s apartment complex. Johnson told police he had witnessed the teens breaking into vehicles.
Johnson's attorney said he was disappointed his client was arrested and booked into jail rather than having the case referred to a grand jury to decide if the officer should be charged and arrested.
The Dallas County District Attorney’s office said Thursday its civil rights unit will also investigate the shooting, as it does with all officer-involved shootings.