A Texas sheriff says a wanted felon told deputies that she was armed and would shoot them before they killed her in a spray of gunfire that also left a 6-year-old boy dead.
SCHERTZ, Texas — A Texas sheriff says a wanted felon told deputies that she was armed and would shoot them before they killed her in a spray of gunfire that also left a 6-year-old boy dead.
Bexar County Sheriff Javier Salazar told the San Antonio Express-News that Amanda Jones, 30, forced her way into a mobile home where the boy, Kameron Prescott, lived on Dec. 21 and then was confronted outside by four deputies.
A person inside the home in Schertz, northeast of San Antonio, also reported hearing Jones say she would shoot the deputies, Salazar said.
« Someone from inside the trailer that (Jones) forced her way into… said that she had an object in her hand. They believed it could have been a weapon, » the sheriff said Tuesday. « And when she exited the house, the witness heard the suspect proclaim to whoever was outside — we now know that was the deputies — ‘I have a gun, I’m going to shoot you.' »
Jones was found with a dark, metal tube after she was shot, but no gun. However, Salazar said deputies had seen Jones with a gun earlier as they chased her.
All four deputies have been placed on administrative leave. The sheriff’s office is investigating. Bexar County District Attorney Nico LaHood’s office said it will « analyze the initial work » of the investigation and « evaluate all additional evidence as it is gathered. »
The probe is in its early stages, Salazar said.
LaHood’s office said in a statement that it is « important to carefully review all of the facts and circumstances surrounding the officers’ use of force and not form any premature conclusions before the investigation is finalized. » It said if the deputies’ actions « rise to the level » of a criminal offense, the office will take the appropriate steps.
Kameron was inside the mobile home when he was struck by a bullet as deputies fired on Jones. The boy died at a hospital.
« We’re not going to rest until we have some answers, » Salazar said. « I fully realize that (Kameron’s) family is entitled to some answers. And it is my job to give them those answers. I’m not going to stop until I have them. »
