Another black life snuffed out

By JOHN KANELIS / johnkanelis_92@hotmail.com

Here we go … again.

A young black man has died at the hands of a police officer. This time the incident is close to home. It’s just one county over from where I live.

This story is at least as troubling as so many others that have caught the nation’s attention.

The victim in this case is Jonathan Price, 31, a Wolfe City resident. The man who shot him to death is Officer Shaun Lucas, a Wolfe City cop who has been charged with murder.

Price was well-known in his community. He reportedly did good deeds for folks in Hunt County. Indeed, at the time of his death he was seeking to break up a domestic disturbance at a convenience store. The officer who arrived then shot Price as the young man was moving away from the cop.

Another death has now caused immeasurable community grief.

The officer who’s been charged with murder has been placed on administrative leave, which means for the moment he will be paid while he cools his jets awaiting his fate. I’ve never quite understood the term “administrative leave,” nor have I understood how individuals continue to draw their pay while ostensibly being punished for an action that could put them in prison for a very long time.

But that’s how it goes.

I am heartened to know the Texas Rangers have taken over the investigation of this terribly sad case. I want their probe to be thorough and as transparent as it can possibly be.

A Northeast Texas community needs answers.