Moore police release name of man fatally shot by officers, identify officers involved in two shootings, but refuse to identify 17-year-old wounded by police
Dax Buck Anthony Minor, 30, of New Caney, Texas, was the man fatally shot by Moore police last week, officials told The Oklahoman on Tuesday.
But Moore police officials still refuse to identify a 17-year-old shot by an officer in another incident more than a week ago. They told the newspaper that state law prevents them from identifying the teen unless he is arrested or charged in connection with a felony.
That seems likely given that police previously said the teen was driving a stolen car when he tried to elude officers and was shot in the stomach when he left the car and tried to run.
But if he's not, does that mean the public will never know who was shot by a police officer? That's absurd.
Though if he's not arrested, a federal lawsuit featuring the teen as the plaintiff would seem probable.
Police told The Oklahoman that no gun was found on the teenager or in the car. Sgt. Jason Landrum, a six-year veteran Moore officer, was involved in the shooting, officials told the newspaper.
The Oklahoman also reports that no weapon was found on Minor or in his pickup truck.
Sgt. Ernest Lockett, an eight-year veteran, and Sgt. Rick Bentley, a six-year veteran, were identified as the officers involved in that shooting.
All three officers are on administrative leave pending investigations into the shootings.
Moore police officials on Tuesday released more information about the shootings in response to an open records request by The Oklahoman. The details can be found in the newspaper's story.
Joey Senat, Ph.D.
Associate Professor
OSU School of Media & Strategic Communications
The opinions expressed in this blog are those of the commentators and do not necessarily represent the position of FOI Oklahoma Inc., its staff, or its board of directors. Differing interpretations of open government law and policy are welcome.