The top prosecutor in the investigation of a plainclothes police officer's fatal shooting of a Florida man has confirmed the victim didn't fire any shots.
Palm Beach County State Attorney Dave Aronberg released a statement Wednesday backing up some details released by attorneys and family members of Corey Jones, who was killed Oct. 18 by Palm Beach Gardens Police Officer Nouman Raja.
Aronberg said the investigation could take months and that he was limited in what he could disclose. But he confirmed Raja was on duty, not in uniform and driving an unmarked van, and that he fired six shots, three of which hit Jones.
"Our office is committed to transparency and we have shared important information about this investigation with the family of Corey Jones and their attorneys," Aronberg said in the statement. "We take this investigation very seriously and as such, we cannot afford to rush, cut corners or appear to be partial. Our responsibility is to seek justice, our loyalty is to the community, and our commitment is to the truth."
The prosecutor's announcement came as a crowd gathered outside the building that houses his office, pleading for justice for Jones and transparency in the investigation.
"We just want transparency and we want the truth to come out about what happened that night, that early morning on Sunday, the tragedy that happened to my nephew," aunt Sabrina Banks Johnson said.
At one point during Wednesday's rally, there was an emotional exchange between Aronberg and Jones' family. Aronberg said Jones' death is being investigated by three independent agencies.
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"This stuff has to stop because we're hurting. We are devastated about what happened to our nephew," Johnson said.
