Grand Jury No Bills Three Longview Officers

LONGVIEW – Three Longview police officers involved in a shooting last August have been no billed by the Gregg County grand jury. The shooting occurred at a convenience store on South Mobberly Avenue. Injured was Joshua Thomas, 17. He was shot after officers say he pulled from his waistband what appeared to be a handgun. It turned out to be a CO2 pistol, a fake gun that resembles a semi-automatic weapon. No charges were filed against Thomas, whose injuries were non life threatening. The three officers, who had been on administrative leave, were returned to duty 5 months ago.

The officers were identified as Dustin Ashworth, John Delgado, and Armando Juarezortega. Officer Delgado was identified as the one who fired his gun, wounding Thomas. he was said to have been hit several times.

The officers were on the scene of a suspicious activity call just before 3:45 that morning when they encountered several men in a store parking lot. When officers approached them, Thomas reportedly pulled the pistol on them.