Mayor Turner asks feds to review Saturday's officer-involved shooting

HOUSTON (KTRK) -- Mayor Sylvester Turner will ask the U.S. Department of Justice to investigate the officer-involved shooting death of Alva Braziel.

In a statement released Monday afternoon, Turner's office also says that "tensions are running high" and calls for the immediate release of all videos showing the altercation between Braziel and police.

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The shooting happened on Cullen near Ward around 12:40am on Saturday. Officers say they saw a man with a revolver standing in the road. There were two officers in one vehicle and they asked Braziel to put the revolver down. Police say a witness also asked him to drop the weapon. Officers say instead of dropping the gun, Braziel raised his weapon and pointed it in the air. He then lowered it and pointed it at the two officers.

Immediately after, HPD says they each fired multiple shots. Braziel died at the scene.

Read the full text of Turner's statement:

The shooting of Alva Braziel is still under investigation. I have personally seen video from a nearby gas station that shows Mr. Braziel standing in the middle of Cullen Boulevard around 12:40 a.m. Saturday. Just prior to the police arriving on the scene, there are two flashes where Mr. Braziel appears to fire two shots into the air. He then raised his arms and turned in a circle. After the police arrive, I see Mr. Braziel step toward the police with his right arm extended toward them. In video not yet made public, a bystander acknowledges that Mr. Braziel had a gun and a gun was taken from his right hand by an officer.

Because tensions are running high, I strongly recommend that all available video be released as soon as possible. To further address community concerns, I will ask the U.S. Department of Justice to review the shooting.

While I desire and will require a full investigation, I am confident that once complete, the public will conclude we have been transparent. I encourage my fellow citizens to help maintain the peace throughout the city.

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