Community members call for HPD officer to be charged in off-duty shooting
HOUSTON (KTRK) -- The man shot outside his home by an off-duty police officer remains in critical condition, according to family members. Relatives are disputing the Houston Police Department's account of what led up to the shooting.
It happened Thursday in the 11600 block of Riderwood in southwest Houston. Community members met Sunday in the neighborhood calling for the district attorney to bring charges against the officer involved in shooting 21-year-old Casey Brown.
"This is not a white thing; this is not a black thing. This is a right or wrong thing," said Brown's mother, Princess Coleman.
"I've been a resident of this neighborhood for 11 years and this is the first time I've ever experienced anything like this."
The officer, J. Loosmore, was walking his dog with his wife Thursday evening, according to police, when another man's dog attacked his pet. Witnesses said the other dog's owner is Casey Brown.
Loosmore allegedly told Brown he was going to file a report. Police said Brown started punching Loosmore while he was speaking with police dispatchers on the phone. Loosmore reportedly told investigators that he was afraid Brown would be able to take his gun.
"He begins punching him multiple times in the head and chest. At that point in time, the officer tells us he actually felt his vision grey out like he was losing consciousness," police spokesman Kese Smith said.
However, Brown's family disputes that account, saying the officer didn't identify himself properly and shouldn't have brought his gun to handle a neighborhood dispute.
"This is a no-go. We won't take this," Coleman said.
"This young man was on his own property. He didn't break any laws," activist Quanell X said.
Community members prayed for peace and unity Sunday as they call for justice in this case.
"Don't do anything crazy in this neighborhood, because all they want to do is put the focus on that, and take the focus off the victim, which is Casey," Quanell X said.
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