Grand jury to determine fate of former officer in Corey Jones fatal shooting

Nouman Raja fired after shooting musician on side of I-95 in Palm Beach Gardens

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. – A grand jury will decide the fate of a South Florida police officer in the fatal shooting of a legally armed man who was waiting for a tow truck.

Palm Beach County state attorney Dave Aronberg made the announcement Wednesday.

Corey Jones, 31, was fatally shot by former Palm Beach Gardens police Officer Nouman Raja last year.

"(I) was a little disappointed in the decision," Corey Jones' family friend, Edward Rogers, said during a news conference after the announcement. "We thought they had enough time, but we're going to press on. Ot just motivated us a little bit more to press on to see what justice looks like in our eyes (and) in our community's eyes."

Police said Jones was stranded on the side of Interstate 95 on Oct. 18 when he was approached by Raja, who was not in uniform and wasn't carrying his badge.

Jones, who worked for a public housing agency and was also a drummer in a band, was leaving a performance early that morning when his SUV broke down.

Aronberg has previously said that six shots were fired from the officer's gun. He said Jones was shot three times.

Jones was armed but had a concealed weapons permit. He and Raja pulled their guns, and Raja shot Jones.

Raja was fired after the shooting.

Aronberg's office has been reviewing evidence in the shooting, including forensic testing of DNA, fingerprints, crime scene analysis and ballistics. Prosecutors also interviewed more than 100 potential witnesses.

"While we are leery of the grand jury process, we will remain vigilant and peacefully demand greater accountability and transparency from law enforcement," Jones' family members said in a statement released by their attorney.

The grand jury is expected to get the case before June 30.


About the Authors:

Peter Burke returned for a second stint of duty at Local 10 News in February 2014.