Former Police Officer Who Shot Corey Jones Charged

Former Florida police officer Nouman Raja has been charged with manslaughter and attempted first-degree murder with a firearm in the death of Corey Jones. Raja was arrested this week after a grand jury found that he used excessive force in the shooting death of Jones, an unarmed black man in October 2015. He faces up to life in prison if he’s convicted.

The charges stem from an incident that took place on October 18, 2015, when Jones’ vehicle broke down on his way home from a music gig. He was waiting for the tow truck to arrive when Officer Raja came across him, and the resulting exchange was recorded by the roadside assistance person Jones had been speaking to. Raja was in an unmarked vehicle, did not identify himself as a police officer, and then shot six times, with three bullets hitting Jones.

According to the probable cause affidavit released by the State’s Attorney’s Office, the former police officer continued to shoot at Jones even after he had thrown his weapon away. Jones’ gun, which had been purchased just 72 hours before his death, had not been fired, still had the safety in place, and had no bullets in the chamber. Raja also used his own personal weapon in the shooting rather than the department-issued gun. The recording captured by the roadside assistance employee detailed the exchange between the officer and Jones, but Raja was not aware that the call was taking place.

In the transcript released by the State’s Attorney, the former officer has a brief interaction with Jones and then the shots are fired. There is a 10-second break after the first three shots are fired, and the last three are fired “more deliberately, one shot per second,” according to the probable cause affidavit.

The affidavit also outlines inconsistencies with the officer’s story. He is heard on the 911 call yelling at someone to drop the gun, however, the autopsy showed that Jones would have been incapable of moving after one of the shots pierced his heart. The 911 call was made 33 seconds after the last shot is heard on the roadside assistance recording. The Palm Beach Police Department fired Officer Raja less than a month after the shooting.

Jones’ death comes at a time when the shooting of black men by police officers is making national headlines following several high-profile deaths. The majority of these incidents do not result in any charges being filed against the police officers who cause these deaths, sparking the rise of the Black Lives Matter movement, riots, and nationwide protests.

Even when charges are filed, convictions against police officers in these cases are hard to come by. On May 23, 2016, Edward Nero, the second officer charged in the death of Freddie Gray, who died while in police custody after his spinal cord was almost severed, was found not guilty in the death.

The former officer made his first court appearance on Thursday and was released on $250,000 bond but was ordered to remain on house arrest.

WATCH: Former Palm Beach Gardens officer Nouman Raja makes first appearance in court; held on $250,000 bond. https://t.co/UZbUUB6RdM

— WPTV (@WPTV) June 2, 2016

After the hearing, which Jones’ family attended, their attorney said they are particularly grateful for the roadside assistance recording.

“We want to thank God for that audio tape … if it wasn’t for that tape, then the officer probably would have gotten away with a lie.”

“This should have never happened” -Family attorney of #CoreyJones reacts to arrest of former Palm Beach Gardens cop. https://t.co/rfkdVLacWk

— WSVN 7 News (@wsvn) June 2, 2016

Raja had been a police officer for about seven years when the incident took place. He is due back in court June 14, 2016, for his arraignment hearing.

[Photo by Damon Higgins-Pool/Getty Images]