Quinton Chandler / StateImpact Oklahoma
The Oklahoma County District Attorney’s Office charged an Oklahoma City police officer with manslaughter on Thursday for killing a Black man who had a history of mental illness.
On December 11, 2020, Oklahoma City police responded to complaints that 60-year-old Bennie Edwards was bothering customers outside a strip mall.
Detective Bryn Carter – an Oklahoma City homicide detective assigned to review the case – said in an affidavit that the first officer to arrive, Sgt. Keith Duroy, called for backup and specifically for a unit that carried a taser.
Police say Edwards had a knife and told Duroy to leave.
By: Jennifer Pierce
OKLAHOMA CITY -
The Oklahoma County District Attorney charged a local police officer on Thursday with first-degree manslaughter. Oklahoma City police Sergeant Clifford Homan was accused of killing a homeless man by allegedly shooting him in the back last December.
The OKC Fraternal Order of Police announced on Thursday they support and stand behind Holman. The FOP President John George said in a statement that Holman followed his training when Bennie Edwards, 60, charged at another officer while being armed with a knife.
However, not everyone agreed.
“It was murder,” said T. Sheri Dickerson, Black Lives Matter OKC leader.
(Getty Images)
The court documents filed on Thursday, February 25, state that the officers responded to a report of a man “bothering customers”. Sgt. Keith Duroy was the first one to arrive on the scene and tried speaking with Edwards. The authorities noted that Edwards “opened up a folding knife” he had in his right hand and told the officer to leave. Duroy sought assistance from additional units, including a unit with a Taser.
Sgt. Holman, who is a certified Taser operator, arrived on the scene. The court documents state that when Edwards continued to tell officers to leave, Holman reportedly deployed his Taser at Edwards on “two separate occasions with no effect.” Edwards is also said to have been sprayed with OC gas.
Officials with the Oklahoma County Detention Center announced Wednesday that two detention officers were arrested in connection with an ongoing conspiracy to smuggle contraband into the facility, according to officials.
Updated: 2:47 PM CST Feb 25, 2021 KOCO Staff An Oklahoma City police officer has been charged with first-degree manslaughter in the shooting death of a homeless man during a confrontation in December, 2020.The shooting took place on Dec. 11 in the 2100 block of West Hefner Road, near Hefner and Penn. in Oklahoma City. Bennie Edwards, 60, was shot and killed during a confrontation with officers. Related Video Above: Attorney analyzes witness video showing OKC police shooting, killing manAccording to court documents filed Thursday, officers responded to a report of a disturbance regarding a man who was reportedly bothering customers. Sgt. Keith Duroy arrived on the scene first and spoke with Edwards. Authorities said Edwards opened up a folding-style knife he had in his right hand and began to tell Duroy to leave. Duroy then requested additional units, including a unit with a Taser, court documents stated. Sgt. Clifford Holman is a certified Taser operator and