The family of a Conroe teen who was killed this summer is suing the man who shot the boy. The shooter was a police officer at the time.
Loss prevention workers were pursuing Russell Rios this summer at Walmart when Sgt. Jason Blackwelder, who was off-duty, joined in the chase as well.
According to the family’s lawsuit Rios ran to a nearby wooded area in an attempt to escape and shortly thereafter was fatally shot.
Initially Conroe police said that Rios was choking Blackwelder, which would imply self defense.
In September a Montgomery County grand jury indicted Blackwelder on a charge of manslaughter.
The family’s attorney says that a forensic exam shows that Rios was shot in the back of the head.
The attorney for Rios’ family says that they mostly want answers as to what really happened.
Source: KTRK-TV, “Mother suing Conroe officer indicted in shooting of son during shoplifting incident at Walmart,” Deborah Wrigley, November 25, 2013