A local Florida drummer was shot and killed by a Palm Beach Gardens police officer after his car broke down on the side of the highway following a performance on Sunday.
According to family members, Corey Jones, who worked for the Delray Beach Housing Authority and played in the band Future Prezidents, was traveling home from a music gig when his vehicle broke down on the southbound exit ramp of I-95 and PGA Boulevard around 2:30 a.m.
Corey Jones’s brother, Clinton Jones Jr, heard from Corey early Sunday morning after his vehicle left him stranded, and was told Corey needed a tow truck.
Palm Beach Gardens Police released a statement Monday afternoon saying the officer, Nouman Raja, was “suddenly confronted by an armed subject” when he investigated an abandoned vehicle on the side of the highway.
Raja, who was in plain clothes, arrived on the scene in an unmarked vehicle.
Statement from Palm Beach Gardens police on fatal shooting of 31-year-old Corey Jones by a Gardens police officer: pic.twitter.com/I8ZEljjINS
— Lulu Ramadan (@luluramadan) October 19, 2015
Officials have not stated what kind of weapon Jones had on his person, or whether a weapon was found at the scene.
The investigation has been turned over to Palm Beach Sheriff’s Office. Raja is on paid administrtive leave while the Sheriff’s Office investigates the shooting.
Family and friends took to twitter to express their disbelief over the death and disputed police version of events:
I’ve never played with a greater drummer than #CoreyJones. A man filled with unending talent, energy, and compassion. #BlackLivesMatter — Elon Zito (@simsketch) October 19, 2015
WATCH: #CoreyJones boss and housing authority CEO says longtime employee would never threaten a police officer @WPTV pic.twitter.com/c3OvK5aAWP
— Brian Entin (@BrianEntin) October 19, 2015
WATCH: #CoreyJones boss and housing authority CEO anxiously waits for information from Palm Bch Gardens police @WPTV pic.twitter.com/wvn9yD3rNf — Brian Entin (@BrianEntin) October 19, 2015
The police killed a friend of mine this morning. Before they tell you he was a thug, he played drums in church every single Sunday.
— Benjamin Dixon (@TheBpDShow) October 19, 2015
Family members will be holding a news conference at the church at 5 p.m. Monday
