Jonathan Dwayne Price, a 31-year-old Black man, tragically died on October 3, 2020, in Wolfe City, Texas. Price was shot and killed by former Wolfe City Police Officer Shaun Lucas outside a convenience store. The incident began when Lucas responded to a disturbance call at the store. Price, who had been spending the evening with friends and was reportedly intoxicated, was involved in a brief altercation with another patron before Lucas arrived.
Upon arriving at the scene, Lucas
encountered Price, who greeted him by asking, "What's going on, brother?" and extended his hand for a handshake. Lucas, however, suspected Price of intoxication and attempted to detain him. Lucas deployed his Taser, which was not fully effective, and then fired his gun, striking Price multiple times. Price was later pronounced dead at a hospital.
The Texas Rangers launched an investigation into the shooting and concluded that Lucas' actions were not objectively reasonable. Lucas was arrested and charged with murder on October 5, 2020. The case went to trial, and in September 2022, a jury found Lucas not guilty of murder. The decision was met with disappointment and frustration from Price's family and civil rights advocates, who believed that prejudice played a role in the acquittal.
Following the trial, Price's family filed a federal civil rights lawsuit against Lucas and Wolfe City, alleging wrongful death and violations of Price's Fourth Amendment rights. The family also called on the Department of Justice to review the case and pursue federal criminal charges against Lucas.
The shooting of Jonathan Dwayne Price sparked significant public outcry and raised questions about police use of force and accountability. The case remains a focal point in discussions about racial justice and police reform in the United States.
