HOUSTON – A police officer was indicted Monday in connection with the shooting of a Bellaire man, KPRC Local 2 reported.
Bellaire police Officer Jeffrey Cotton shot Robbie Tolan, 23, on New Year's Eve. Tolan and his cousin were returning to Tolan's parents' home in Bellaire when Cotton ran the license plate on his vehicle and mistakenly thought it has been reported stolen.
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Officers surrounded Tolan and his cousin as they got out of the vehicle. Cotton shot Tolan once in the chest after he ordered him on the ground, but Tolan raised up when he said he saw Cotton mistreating his mother.
Cotton was indicted on a charge of aggravated assault by a peace officer. If found guilty, Cotton faces not less than five years or more than 99 years in prison and up to a $10,000 fine.
Tolan and his parents appeared before a Harris County grand jury on March 30.
After the shooting, Tolan said he was a victim of police racial profiling, which triggered a community outcry and investigation.
Tolan's attorney said Tolan plans to file a civil lawsuit in the near future.
"The family is gratified. But this is one step on a very long road that includes a criminal prosecution and a civil lawsuit," attorney Geoffrey Berg said.
Cotton remains on administrative leave with pay.
Tolan said he continues to suffer from his injuries.
"He's still in pain and not back to where he was. He was a professional athlete in peak physical condition. It will take a long time getting back to that, if he ever does," Berg said.