The Dallas County District Attorney’s office is looking for photos and videos from protests earlier this year where demonstrators suffered life-changing injuries after being hit with so-called less lethal munitions fired by Dallas police. NBC 5’s Jack Highberger reports John Cruezot says the lack of photographic evidence has stalled their investigations in some of the cases.
The Dallas County District Attorney's office says investigators are seeking witnesses who may have seen or recorded confrontations between law enforcement officers and protesters during early summer demonstrations over the killing of George Floyd.
District Attorney John Creuzot said in a Thursday news conference that his office and the Dallas Police Department are investigating incidents that occurred in downtown Dallas that resulted in protesters being seriously hurt by non-lethal weapons.
“Even though the police may call their device less than lethal, the characteristics of it especially when you know that somebody has lost an eye, would fit the definition of a deadly weapon," said Creuzot.
During the news conference, Creuzot pointed to wall monitors that showed images of protesters at three confrontations with police on May 30, hoping they will recognize themselves in media coverage and come forward as witnesses.
- In one of the incidents, a man lost his eye after being wounded by a rubber bullet fired upon protesters near the downtown Dallas Public Library, Creuzot said.
The DA's office said they have video of the time of the incident but that their particular video doesn't show the projectile being fired.
"There were several individuals who appear to have been recording and/or taking photos at the time. We are hopeful that these individuals will work with our office and provide information to assist in our investigation," the DA's office said.
- Later that afternoon, a woman was photographed being struck by a pepper-ball fired point-blank by a police sergeant. The officer was under investigation, NBC 5 reported in August, but was allowed to remain on duty.
- The third incident happened that night near Pacific Avenue and Griffin Street when a man was seriously hurt when he was struck in the face by a rubber bullet.
The district attorney's office asks that anyone with recorded video or photos from the incidents above to please contact their office. They stress that people with video or photos are not in trouble, rather the DA's office needs their help to investigate these occurrences.
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Any witnesses who wish to come forward with information are asked to call the DA's office at 214-653-3714 or send an email to protestreport@dallascounty.org and provide contact information.
