Source: William Thomas Cain / Getty
A Black man lost his life for no reason at all other than a police officer was too scared, too stupid, and too trigger-happy.
Robert Jones, 54, was shot dead by 43-year-old Christopher Sweeney, an off-duty Philadelphia homicide detective—a sad irony to say the least. According to the Philadelphia Inquirer, Sweeney was on his way home in his personal vehicle and was armed with his personal firearm when he and Jones, a road assistance operator, stopped at an intersection near Northeast Philadelphia. Jones got out of his car, approached Sweeney’s vehicle, and was immediately met with gunfire—the family’s lawyer Shaka Johnson believes that Jones thought Sweeney might have been stranded and needed help according to Fox 29.
“You have an off duty, armed officer shoot and kill an unarmed person who is certified to do roadside assistance wearing a reflective jacket,” said Shaka Jones.
Jones was taken to a local hospital where he would die soon after arrival. During their initial investigation, which included a search of the storm drains, no firearm was found.
The encounter between the two men was first reported as “an attempted carjacking” as noted by the Inquirer; however, sources in law enforcement do not believe that to be the case. Robert Jones worked for a sister company of food service giant Aramark for 21 years in addition to working as a groundskeeper for the Philadelphia Eagles.
Via Fox 29:
“To me, I feel as though they’re trying to save the officer and at the same time they’re trying to put the stain on my brother’s name,” said Michael Jones.
It feels that way to us too. Our thoughts and prayers go out to the Johnson family. We will provide more details on this shooting as more information becomes available.
