FBI assessment of Darius Tarver case finds no civil rights violations – North Texas Every day

The Dallas FBI Department did its review Jan. 2020 Shooting of university student Darius Tarver by a Denton Police Department officer.

The FBI, along with the US Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Texas and the Department of Justice’s Civil Rights Division, determined that the fatal shots did not result in any civil rights violations against federal law.

“The decision of the FBI and the DOJ in no way minimizes the tragic loss of life, but rather urges and compels us to work more closely with our community to ensure the safety of our city, and to do so in a just, inclusive and just way,” Denton Police Chief Frank Dixon said in a Press release on May 27th.

The FBI’s findings reflect similar decisions made earlier this year regarding the case. In March, a Denton County grand jury issued a no-bill to an officer implicated in Tarver’s death, meaning the officer would not be charged. In April, DPD announced that the officer who fatally shot Tarver will not face disciplinary action after an internal investigation has found that the department’s training, procedures and guidelines were being followed in effect at the time.

“It’s really unfortunate, but honestly I can’t say I’m surprised because when I found out the FBI was investigating I thought it was the same as when the DOJ or the local police department said they were would determine. “Said Tommy DeJesus, former director of diversity and inclusion for the Student Government Association. “It’s PR to create the illusion that you are doing something. The system is not only flawed, it was created to marginalize people of color, especially black people. “

DeJesus has been involved in various commemorative projects for Tarver, describing ideas from works of art to buildings named after Tarver. He said the university’s black community will always honor Tarver in “some form, manner, or form” and urged the rest of the Denton community to do the same.

“The students dedicated an altar to Darius during the Día de los Muertos last October, we know how much that means to them,” said Shabaz Brown, interim director of the Multicultural Center. “The Multicultural Center is committed to supporting our students as they still mourn this loss.”

Brown said the Multicultural Center is available for any type of one-on-one meeting for students who want to come and chat. The center has also partnered with counseling and testing services that provide opportunities for individual and group support. Brown pointed out that a new counseling sector designed specifically for various students will be working hard over the next few months to provide resources on grief, mental wellbeing, and security to students with marginalized identities.

The North Texas Daily Newspaper asked the larger university for comment and spoke to Deputy Director of Reputation Management Leigh Anne Gullett.

“[Tarver], his friends and family will always be in our hearts, ”said Gullett. “The university will not comment on the FBI report, however. The FBI has given us no information, and we cannot speak to an investigation or review that we were not involved in. “

Tarver, 23, was killed by police officers outside his apartment in the forum of the Denton Station complex on January 21, 2020. Authorities said the officers responded to multiple calls from someone who was acting erratically, knocking on multiple doors and calling for people to open them. According to Denton PD, Tarver held a frying pan and a meat cleaver, disobeyed orders, and attacked officers after he was tased.

Kevin Tarver, Darius’ father, denied Denton PD’s report of the incident after seeing police body cameras. A week before the incident, Tarver survived a car accident that took him to intensive care. Tarver’s family, along with other community members, believe that he was suffering from a mental crisis related to the accident the night he was murdered.

“Four officers against a young student in mental distress were unable to get to safety, take him to mental health care,” said Lee Merritt, the Tarver family attorney WFAA. “Instead, they shot him.”

Featured Image: Darius Tarver’s mother, Froncella Reece, and older brother Kevin Tarver Jr. at the pitying vigil for victims of police brutality held in Denton Square on June 9, 2020. Image by John Anderson