A Palm Beach Gardens police officer fatally shot the drummer of a well-known Florida band who had pulled over on a highway ramp after his car broke down early Sunday morning.
Officer Nouman Raja, an on-duty officer in plainclothes and an unmarked car, saw Corey Jones’ vehicle and stopped to investigate, according to a news release posted to the Palm Beach Gardens Police Department's Facebook page.
As Raja exited his car, he was "suddenly confronted by an armed subject,” prompting the officer to discharge his firearm, the statement read.
Palm Beach Gardens Police Chief Stephen Stepp reiterated the narrative to reporters Tuesday afternoon. As per the department's procedure, the shooting was being independently investigated by the county sheriff's department, he added.
"I understand the public’s concern," Stepp said. "We share that. The most important thing I believe is to get the facts out, and that’s what we’re trying to do."
Stepp added the department had no video of the "confrontation" between Jones and Raja. There was no dashboard camera installed on the officer's car, nor does the department issue body cameras.
A handgun was recovered on the ground outside Jones' car, and its serial number matched a handgun box inside the cab, and paperwork appeared to show he had bought it three days before he was killed, the chief said.
#BREAKING @PBCountySheriff releases photo of gun found at scene of #CoreyJones shooting. https://t.co/OMF4Os88Kb
Jones’ family has hired noted civil rights attorney Benjamin Crump, who has represented the families of other black men shot by police, including Trayvon Martin, Tamir Rice, and Michael Brown.
Following the police news conference, Jones' grandfather said he hoped authorities were telling the truth. So far, the official account of what happened has not matched the character and personal history of his grandson, Pastor Sylvester Banks told reporters.
"His record should reveal the kind of person he is," Banks said.
Jones, the drummer of Future Prezidents, was returning from a gig at approximately 3 a.m. Sunday, his friend and bandmate Boris Simeonov told BuzzFeed News.
“We had just performed a show in Jupiter,” Simeonov said. “It was a great night.”
The next morning, he received a phone call from Jones’ brother who informed him about the shooting.
“Every singe person that’s ever met Corey, whether it was for a minute or knew him for life, will tell you he’s the most patient, kind, smart person they’ve ever met,” Simeonov said. “He’s very calm and rational. He respected everyone."
Simeonov added that Jones had a “passion and love for playing his instrument,” and that he was a “true gentleman.”
John Kazanjian, head of the Palm Beach County Police Benevolent Association, told WPTV that the police department needs to be more transparent.
"We don't want another Ferguson," Kazannjian told WPTV. "They need to get out there and address the public. Chief, get out there and tell the public what's going on."
Raja told investigators Corey pulled a gun after he said, “Police, are you alright?” according to WPBF25, citing unnamed sources.
Simeonov said something about the police narrative doesn’t seem right as Jones was never confrontational.
“I’ve never seen him lose his temper,” Simeonov said. “I’ve never seen him not be cool, calm, and collected.”
Raja has been placed on paid administrative leave, and the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office is investigating the shooting, according to the Sun Sentinel.
He was hired by the Palm Beach Gardens Police Department in April after serving at Atlantis Police Department from 2008 to 2015, officials said.
According to Palm Beach Gardens Police, the department had no records of any complaints, disciplinary actions, or internal affairs investigations concerning Raja.