HOUSTON – The family of a man who was shot by an off-duty Houston police officer said Friday the shooting was unjustified and called for criminal charges to be filed.
Casey Brown, 21, was listed in critical condition Friday at Ben Taub Hospital. According to police, Officer J. Loosmore shot Brown during an altercation Thursday outside Brown's home in the 11600 block of Riderwood in southwest Houston.
"Continue to pray for Casey," said Brown's mother, Princess Coleman.
"We don't know if he's going to make it or not," Coleman continued.
Coleman spoke to KPRC2 with Quannel X, a community activist. Both questioned the shooting, which is being investigated by the Houston Police Department's Homicide Division and the Harris County District Attorney's Office.
"This is not a justifiable shooting," Quannel X said.
Houston police said the shooting occured during Officer Loosmore's second time at Brown's house. Loosmore lives in the neighborhood and was walking with his wife and three dogs, according to police. Police told KPRC2 that Brown's German shepherd attacked one of Loosmore's dogs. After breaking up the dog fight, Loosmore went home, but later he returned to Brown's house.
He returned, according to police, with his Houston Police Department officer's badge and a gun.
"This officer was off-duty. There was no need for him to go home and get a gun and [knock] on his door," Quannel X said.
There are conflicting accounts as to what led to the shooting. Police said Loosmore shot Brown after Brown attacked him. But another witness told Brown's family Officer Loosmore physically attacked Brown first.
"According to another witness, he charged the young man. And he and the young man get into a confrontation, then he shoots the man four times," Quannel X said.
Brown's mother, Princess Coleman, said she's praying for her son to survive. She said he was shot four times and was in the intensive care unit Friday.
"Continue to pray for our family and keep us strong," she said.