Police officer who shot Jonathan Price arrested and charged with murder

Shaun David Lucas, the Wolfe City police officer allegedly connected to the shooting death of Jonathan Price was arrested and charged with murder.

But within hours of his arrest in Hunt County, Officer Lucas posted his $1 million bond.

“This is the first step. This man is dangerous and should not be out on bond. The family was relieved to hear of his arrest and are looking forward to his conviction,” said Dallas attorney Lee Merritt.

Price, 31, was shot and killed outside a Wolfe City gas station on Saturday.

Described as a “hometown hero”, “standup guy,” and “mentor who worked with children,” most who spoke out publicly about Price said they can’t see any reason why a police officer would shoot and kill him.

But that’s exactly what happened on Saturday, after Price allegedly stepped in to help a woman out of a domestic violence situation. Things escalated between Price and her abuser, but had calmed down, according to witnesses by the time police arrived.

The circumstances surrounding Lucas’ ultimate decision to use deadly force is now under investigation.

Price’s father, Junior Price spoke about that alleged deadly choice too on Monday, saying “I want to see what the man gets… what he has coming to him for killing my son.”

Monday afternoon, Price’s family said there is video proof that the shooting was a criminal act and they want justice.

“The chief saw the video and told me he wasn’t happy with what he saw,” Merritt said.

[SOURCE: DFW CBS]

Texas police shoot and kill Black man trying to stop domestic violence incident

An innocent Black man, Jonathan Price was shot by a Wolfe City, Texas police officer on Saturday night.

Friends and family as well as witnesses at the scene said he was trying to intervene in a domestic violence situation before he was killed at the Kwik Check gas station at 103 Santa Fe Street.

The Texas Rangers are investigating the shooting at the request of the city's police department. Officials with the Hunt County Sheriff's Office were also seen at the scene. The officer has been placed on leave pending the result of the investigation.

Watch a local news report on this sad story below:

International Association of Black Professional Fire Fighters Call to Action Against Racism and Injustice

The International Association of Black Professional Fire Fighters (IABPFF) unite with other organizations and communities across the country protesting injustices and the racism that has affected every aspect of our lives as African Americans. We are aware of the increasing complexities of these problems and those of our Brothers and Sisters of color globally. We are angry, saddened, hurt and confused by the assumption of guilt, inconsistent standards, implicit bias and toxic culture that is ingrained in the fabric of our country. We as an organization will not stop advocating for change until systemic racism and racial disparities in our communities across the country and within the fire service is addressed.

THIS IS A CALL TO ACTION!

The International Association of Black Professional Fire Fighters support the peaceful protest of racial injustice caused by those who are tasked to protect us across the country. The Executive Board authorizes members of the IABPFF to peacefully protest under the banner of the International Association of Black Professional Fire Fighters.

"The current justice system focuses on punishment and not restorative practices. For that reason, we will protest until the unfair and racist treatment of our Brothers and Sisters of color cease."

For more information about the IABPFF please visit iabpf.org  

Startup African-American-Owned Eyewear Brand Vontélle Launches into Luxury Eyewear Space

Startup eyewear manufacturer Vontélle, LLC is launching a unique brand into the luxury eyewear space, offering awe-striking, ethnic patterns reflecting African, Caribbean, and Latin cultures. 

 Vontélle is planning to launch October 1st. Co-Founder Nancey Harris says, "Our eyewear is original, authentic, distinctive, and invites a conversation. Vontélle will add a cultural richness to the marketplace." Moreover, she stated that the tightly competitive industry lacks African American ownership and strong presence. Vision care is a multi-billion-dollar market in the United States, of which, African-Americans receive less than $3 million dollars annually. "We are under-represented and under-served in this industry," she says, "Through social media, African-Americans have brokered a seat at the table and are demanding that brands and marketers speak to us in ways that resonate culturally and experientially."  

The corporate vision is to become the leading African American woman-owned eyewear design company, that breaks away from the ordinary to be the extraordinary chic and luxurious fashion-forward eyewear brand in the market. Another distinguishing factor that sets Vontélle apart is their insurance replacement program. Vontélle offers a one-year/one-time replacement warranty from the purchase date of your eyewear for stolen, lost, damaged, or broken eyeglass frames. 

Vontélle translated from French means "there she goes," or "you go." These eyewear designs aim to turn heads and command the room. Vontélle's mission is to empower customers to "walk confidently in this world: for every occasion." The company's designs are inspired by highly identifiable African textile designs (including mud cloth and kente cloth), Ankara prints, and newly created trademarked Vontélle textile designs.  

Tracy Vontélle Green is the Co-founder and CEO leading the overall direction of the company, while Harris serves as COO with a focus on operations and product design. The two offer a highly-effective balance of leadership and executive skills.  

The concept for Vontélle was born out of a need of both the founders, who each lost their expensive eyewear within the same year and decided to focus their efforts on making their next purchases from a Black-owned brand. "After searching high and low for glasses that were stylish and had an ethnic flair, we realized they simply didn't exist." Harris says, "That's when Tracy suggested we start our own line."  

Vontélle is committed to celebratory cultural designs that represent global textiles, boldness and beauty. Vontélle is partnering with WIN (Women in Need) in New York, operator of 11 shelters, to provide proceeds and eyewear to women and families in need. This is one initiative illustrating Vontélle's commitment to addressing health disparities in deserving communities of color.

Web Site: www.vontelle.com  

California to Study Reparations for Black Americans

California will develop detailed proposals for granting reparations to Black Americans under a new law.

The legislation, which was authored by Assemblywoman Shirley Weber, a Democrat representing San Diego who is chair of California's Legislative Black Caucus, does not commit to any specific payment. Instead, it establishes a nine-person task force that will study the impact of slavery on Black people in California and recommend to the Legislature what kind of compensation should be provided, who should receive it and what form it will take.

Gov. Gavin Newsom signed the law on Wednesday.

The task force must give its recommendations to the state Legislature one year after its first meeting.

The law would not limit the reparations to slavery.

But it does require the task force to give special consideration for black people who are descendants of slaves.

Similar proposals have been introduced in Congress for decades but have never passed.