| Shooting of Larry Jackson Jr. | |
| Place: | Austin, Texas, U.S. |
| Reported Deaths: | Larry Jackson Jr. |
| Accused: | Charles Kleinert |
| Charges: | Manslaughter |
| Verdict: | Charge dropped by judge |
| Litigation: | $1.25 million lawsuit filed against City by family settled |
On July 26, 2013, 32-year-old Larry Jackson Jr. was shot dead by Austin Police Department Detective Charles Kleinert in Austin, Texas. Jackson was at the scene of a bank robbery earlier that day in central Austin. When questioned by Kleinert as to why he falsely identified himself to a bank employee, Jackson ran. When Kleinert caught up to Jackson a struggle between Jackson and Detective Charles Kleinert ensued. One gunshot was fired, fatally striking Jackson in the back of the neck.[1]
Kleinert was indicted by a grand jury on the charge of manslaughter. In October 2015, a judge dropped the charge against Kleinert.
As Kleinert was questioning Jackson concerning why he identified himself to bank employees as a different bank customer and requested access to the account, Jackson ran. Kleinert chased Jackson, enlisted the aid of a passing motorist, and followed on foot under a bridge where a struggle took place.[2] [3] Kleinert's weapon unintentionally discharged striking Jackson in the back of the neck. Kleinert reported that the shooting was accidental. Jackson did not have a weapon on him but had not been searched before running.[3] [4]
After the incident, Kleinert retired from the police force.[5] He was indicted for manslaughter in May 2014. The Austin City Council approved a $1.25 million settlement to Jackson's children in August 2014. Austin Attorney Bobby Taylor represented the children of Larry Jackson.[6] In October 2015, after being removed to federal court a federal judge ruled that Kleinert, a member of an FBI task force, was acting in his capacity as a federal officer. The judge dismissed the case with prejudice asserting the Supremacy Clause applied.[7]