Farmers Branch officer arrested, family of killed teen grieves

Image 1 of 5

An off-duty Farmers Branch officer who shot and killed teen on Sunday was arrested by Addison PD on Wednesday.

Farmers Branch Officer Ken Johnson shot Jose Cruz, 16, and another teen Sunday night in Addison. The other teen, identified as Edgar Rodriguez, is recovering from a gunshot wound.

Johnson was arrested on one count of murder and one count of aggravated assault shortly before 6 p.m. Wednesday. He was released on a $150,000 bond shortly afterward.

Police said Officer Johnson was off duty when he saw his vehicle being burglarized at his apartment complex. He got into his SUV and chased the teenagers, who were in a red sports car. Surveillance video showed the vehicles near Marsh Lane and Spring Valley Road. One witness told FOX 4 the SUV hit the car and then someone got out and started shooting.

Another witness who was getting gas at the time of the incident told FOX4 he heard Johnson tell police, “I saw them stealing a car and I shot them.”

Family and friends of the teenager had demanded answers from both departments and wanted the officer held accountable. Cruz’s family met with the police chiefs from both Addison and Farmers Branch Tuesday morning.

"Based on our investigation thus far we had probable cause to make the arrest this evening," said Addison PD Chief Paul Spencer in a statement. "But this is a rapidly-evolving situation and it remains an active investigation. Therefore, we are refraining at this time from discussing the evidence collected thus far or about the specifics of this case. We expect there are still several weeks of additional investigative work to do."

Addison police said they were working on the case with the Dallas County District Attorney's office.

Johnson's attorney said he is looking forward to their opportunity to present the case to independent jurors in Dallas County.