Protests held in Palm Beach Gardens over drummer killed by cop

The Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office is conducting an investigation, as is the office of State Attorney Dave Aronberg.

Protestors hold a peaceful rally in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida October 22, 2015.

Jones was a musician who performed with local bands and had just left a gig early Sunday when his auto broke down. In all, Jones suffered five wounds (some of them exit wounds).

Police say they found a gun near Jones. Police say when Raja exited his vehicle, he was “suddenly confronted by an armed subject”.

Jones’ father, the Rev. Clinton Jones Sr., said he was already dealing with burying his own mother who had died when he learned about his son’s killing.

“That’s your second amendment right”, said Crump, who has represented the relatives of other black Americans killed by law enforcement.

Jones and his brother, former National Football League wide receiver C.J. Jones, were close friends with Pro Bowl defensive lineman Vince Wilfork, long with the New England Patriots and now with the Houston Texans.

“We don’t know how many times he was shot”.

While waiting for it to arrive, Jones’ vehicle was spotted by Palm Beach Gardens police Officer Nouman Raja.

Police say officer Nouman Raja, a detective who was working a robbery detail in plain clothes early that morning, thought the auto was abandoned and was suddenly “confronted” by Jones. “As a result of the confrontation, the officer discharged his firearm, resulting in the death of the subject”. Chief Stepp said detectives later learned that Jones had legally purchased the weapon three days before his death. Al Sharpton plans to visit Jones’ family over the weekend. He would not ever, ever, ev ever, ever, ever pull a gun on a police. “Never”, Clinton Jones Jr. said. “This is not like him, and we need answers”. Raja felt he had to check the auto because burglars had parked near the ramp where Jones’ vehicle was, the source said. And that Jones was shot three times. The gun was not found next to Corey.

“He was the person who could bring the softest part out of the hardest person”, Jones said tearfully.

“In a situation where a police officer has to make a split-second decision, he has to act instantly and instinctively to defend himself from the threat”, Driscoll said. “He made sure of that, because my brother was responsible”.

Now, the older brother is mourning the loss of his younger brother who loved fishing, playing the keyboard and who, when they were both youngsters, used to race him to church drum sets to see who could play first.

The fatal bullet entered Jones’ side and lodged in his upper body, the lawyers said. Stepp said there have been no complaints or disciplinary actions filed against him, and no internal affairs investigations. He knew, he knew.

Jones’ family attorney is Benjamin Crump, who represented the families of Trayvon Martin and Michael Brown. The auto was not outfitted with a dashboard camera, and the department’s officers do not wear body cameras, according to Palm Beach Gardens Police Chief Stephen Stepp. “I believe Corey Jones went to his grave never knowing that the person who was there was a police officer”, Crump said.

Wilfork says he has tons of respect for law enforcement and even has friends who are police officers.

“If you are ever approached by an un-uniformed cop, how do we really know he’s a cop?” he asked. The criminal investigation is being done by the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office and the State Attorney’s Office.

Stepp said police shootings rarely happen in the city, which is 89 percent white and has a median income far above the Florida average, according to the U.S. Census.

Tensions are also high following protests and nationwide frustration with the number of deaths of black men at the hands of police. “And my brother had plenty of friends – white friends, Asian friends, it didn’t matter”.

Through tears, the reverend added: “So toady, I need a few answers”. “Growing up watching him play the drums… he taught me everything I know”.