A former Florida police officer was arrested after a grand jury found he had used unjustified force in the fatal shooting of a black musician waiting for help after his car broke down, a prosecutor said on Wednesday.
Prosecutors charged ex-officer Nouman Raja with manslaughter by culpable negligence and attempted first-degree murder following the grand jury's finding, Palm Beach County State Attorney Dave Aronberg said at a news conference.
Raja was fired from the Palm Beach Gardens Police after the Oct. 18 shooting of 31-year-old Corey Jones.
Jones' death raised questions about excessive use of force by law enforcement amid a series of fatal incidents nationally involving police and black men. Raja was in plain clothes when he approached Jones in the early morning hours in an unmarked van.
Jones' family said it was relieved to learn Raja would face charges for "his reckless act."
"While we understand that nothing can bring back our son, brother and friend, this arrest sends a message that this conduct will not be tolerated from members of law enforcement," Jones' family said in a statement released by an attorney.
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