A federal judge has ruled that the mother of a black 15-year-old shot and killed by a white Balch Springs police officer may join a civil rights lawsuit filed by the boy's father.
U.S. District Judge Barbara Lynn ruled Monday that Shaunkeyia Stephens may join the lawsuit filed by Odell Edwards on behalf of the estate of Jordan Edwards. The lawsuit alleges that the Balch Springs Police Department and city officials improperly trained the officer who shot the boy and should have noticed a pattern of escalating encounters with the public.
Roy Oliver, also named in the lawsuit, shot at the vehicle in which the boy was riding as it was driving away from a party April 29.
Both of Jordan's brothers, Vidal and Kevon Edwards, were in the car with him and saw the incident unfold and their brother get shot.
Oliver was fired from the department and later charged with murder. He is free on bond.
