An unarmed nude teenager was shot and killed by an officer in an altercation partly captured by patrol car video, according to Austin police.
Officer Geoffrey Freeman fatally shot 17-year-old David Joseph on Monday when the teen allegedly ignored orders to stop and charged at the officer, Police Chief of Staff Brian Manley said.
Freeman initially responded to a report of one male chasing another through an Austin apartment complex. He resumed his patrol, then came upon the naked Joseph, according to Manley. Police haven't released the patrol car video.
Joseph's family released a statement Wednesday saying they are "devastated" by the high school senior's death.
"We are shocked and saddened that he was taken from us in an unexpected and violent way, and are struggling to understand how our child was stolen from us by the police," the family said in a statement.
According to Joseph's family, the teen played football and soccer and was preparing to attend college in the fall. Joseph is survived by his parents and two older brothers, ages 23 and 19.
"We want a full and fair investigation into what led Officer Freeman to kill David. David had no weapon. We do not know what led to his meeting with Officer Freeman, but we know that our David should not have been taken away from us," the family said. "No family should have to suffer like we are today."
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Freeman has been an Austin police officer for 10 years. He's been put on administrative duty.
An autopsy was ordered.
Joseph was black, as is the officer.
