TEXAS — (Scroll Down For Video) — On May 31st, 2015, shortly before midnight, Officers from the Palestine Police Department responded to Wal-Mart Supercenter, located in the 2200 Block of S. Loop 256, in reference to a Theft that had just occurred.
Officers were advised that a white male, wearing tan shorts and a black shirt, had stolen beer from the store, and had exited the premises, heading toward Applebee’s Restaurant, located at 2225 S. Loop 256. Officers searched the area, and eventually located the suspect, who had been hiding in the men’s restroom within the restaurant.
“The subject was escorted out of the restaurant, where officers attempted to identify him. The subject then displayed a black pistol, and pointed it at Officers. Officers attempted to gain control of the subject, but he pulled away and again pointed the weapon at officers, at which time both officers drew their weapons and fired upon the suspect, striking him multiple times”, said Palestine PD Chief of Police Mike Alexander.
Upon securing the scene, Officers attempted life-saving measures until EMS arrived on scene. The suspect, later identified as 47 year old James D. Bushey, was transported to Palestine Regional Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead.
“Although the initial investigation has revealed that the gun the suspect brandished was a BB gun designed to look like a 9mm handgun, in the rapidly developing situation the officers took appropriate defensive measures in using deadly force against the suspect to stop the threat”, said Chief Alexander.
Texas Ranger, Rudy Flores, was also called to the scene, and will be conducting an independent investigation, assisted by investigators from the Anderson County District Attorney’s Office. As part of that investigation, any and all available video footage of the incident will be reviewed.
Both Officers involved in the incident will be placed on Administrative Leave pending the outcome of the investigation.
Alert update: The Palestine Police Department is releasing the names of the two officers involved in the shooting incident which took place early Monday morning, shortly after midnight.
Sgt. Gabriel Green, and Officer Kaylyn Griffin were the two officers involved in the shooting that occurred outside of Applebees. Sgt. Green is a patrol supervisor for one of the four patrol shifts, and has been with Palestine Police Department for approximately 6 years. Officer Griffin, is a patrol officer assigned to the patrol division, and has been with Palestine PD for approximately 2 years.
The incident remains under investigation by the Texas Rangers and the Anderson County District Attorney’s Office and may be brought before a Grand Jury later this month. The incident was captured on the Officers’ body cameras which were activated prior to the incident, however those recordings are not expected to be released until after the Grand Jury convenes. The Palestine Police Department instituted a policy of using body worn cameras for all on-duty patrol officers in early January, 2015.
An autopsy of Mr. Bushey was conducted on Tuesday, however the report is awaiting toxicology results.
Both officers remain on Administrative Leave until further notice.
