Temple Officer Involved in Deadly Shooting Identified
The Temple Police Department has released the name of an officer currently on paid leave and under investigation following a fatal shooting.
In a media release issued Tuesday afternoon, the officer was identified as Carmen DeCruz - a 9-year veteran of the department. No further details were released.
DeCruz was placed on paid administrative leave after the fatal shooting of 28-year-old Michael Dean on the night of Monday, December 2. The Texas Rangers are currently leading an investigation into the shooting with assistance from Temple PD and the Bell County District Attorney's Office.
The shooting occurred near Southeast HK Dodgen Loop and Little River Road around 8:15 PM, Dec. 2.
Authorities have not released details about the shooting. Our partners at News 10 report that an attorney for Dean's family says the man was unarmed and was shot in the head. The attorney, Lee Merritt, said he and Dean's family did not wish to speculate, but have not been given adequate information.
Merritt has represented the families of shooting victims in other high-profile cases, including that of former Dallas Police Officer Amber Guyger.