The Dallas Morning News
FORT WORTH, Texas — A Tarrant County grand jury has indicted a Fort Worth officer who said his shotgun accidentally fired when he shot a man.
Officer Courtney Johnson, 33, was indicted Tuesday on a charge of aggravated assault by a public servant, a first-degree felony that carries punishment of five years to life in prison. He was booked into the Tarrant County Jail and released after posting $25,000 bond.
Johnson is accused of recklessly handling his shotgun and shooting 55-year-old Craigory Adams last June. Johnson thought Adams was wielding a knife, but he was holding a barbecue fork, the Fort Worth Star-Telegram reports.
Johnson’s lawyer, Jim Lane, said footage of the incident showed that it was unintentional.
“Just pure and simple, it was an accident,” he told the Star-Telegram.
Kenneth Finley, Adams’ cousin, said the family welcomed the indictment.
“Maybe this will help somebody else’s son or nephew or father, help them not get shot, so we’re thankful,” he told the Star-Telegram. “That gives me more faith in the Fort Worth Police Department. It makes me feel like they are trying to do the right thing.”
Adams has filed a lawsuit against Johnson, seeking up to $1 million in damages for physical injuries and depression he says were caused by the shooting.
Chief Fitzgerald addressing the media on the indictment of Officer Johnson. pic.twitter.com/bi59mRIO3A
— Fort Worth Police (@fortworthpd) March 30, 2016
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