 "Photo: Veronica Hansen")
Serious questions regarding race relations and the use of force by Austin police officers were raised during a Friday morning press conference. Antoine Johnson, a witness to the latest officer-involved shooting death of 25-year-old Kevin Brown, told reporters he observed questionable police actions just after Brown was shot in the courtyard of Johnson's girlfriend's apartment.
"From the window, I heard Brown cry out, 'I don't want to die, I don't want to die, I don't want to die,'" said Johnson.
Brown was shot twice in the back by Sgt. Michael Olsen on June 3.
Johnson said he panicked and ran outside to offer assistance and to tell officers what happened, when he was attacked by several police officers.
"They slammed me to the ground, and they broke off the bridge in my mouth," Johnson said. "They said I was being a problem and interfering, so they put me in an unmarked police car and took me to central booking."
Johnson alleges he was roughed up again at central booking, this time by sheriff's deputies, for talking to Brown's uncle, who was arrested at Chester's Nightclub that same night.
"Three sheriffs said I was being a problem, so they bend my arm all up," Johnson said. "I just wanted to make a statement, 'cause I was the first one there."
A nurse at central booking responded to Johnson's request for medical attention and confirmed he had high blood pressure. He was taken to Brackenridge Hospital for treatment.
Johnson was released from the hospital and from custody without charges. He returned to his girlfriend's apartment complex between 9 a.m. and 11 a.m. and claimed Brown's body had not been moved since the shooting between 4 a.m. and 4:30 a.m.
"I'm speaking out now, because they killed this man," Johnson said. "I could have been shot, but thank goodness I was only arrested."
An APD spokeswoman told the Texan that police had "detained an individual at the scene," but refused to offer further details or comment.
Roger Wade, spokesman for the Travis County Sheriff's Department, refused to comment on the allegations and said the department could not find Johnson's booking slip.
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