Police officer charged in fatal shooting of legally armed black musician
The officer's bond has been set at $250,000.
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Your support makes all the difference.A former Florida police officer has been charged with manslaughter and attempted murder after fatally shooting a legally armed black man who was waiting for help when his car broke down.
Prosecutors charged former officer Nouman Raja on Wednesday after a grand jury found that the shooting was unjustified, Reuters reports.
Raja, 38, was terminated from the Palm Beach Gardens Police after killing the 31-year-old Jones on October 18. Raja then approached Jones in plainclothes while driving an unmarked van. Both men apparently pulled guns on each other, but Raja was the only person to fire his weapon, shooting six shots, striking Jones three times.
Jones’ family said they were relieved that Raja would face charges.
"While we understand that nothing can bring back our son, brother and friend, this arrest sends a message that this conduct will not be tolerated from members of law enforcement," the family's statement read.
On Thursday, Raja briefly appeared before a judge and his bond was set at $250,000.
The fired officer is now on house arrest with a GPS monitor, the Palm Beach Post reports, is required to surrender his passport and must surrender any guns to the Palm Beach County Police. He’s also been ordered to have no contact with the victim’s family nor his former employer.
Raja’s is due back in court on June 14 at 1:30pm.