An attorney representing a police officer who fatally shot a naked, unarmed teen says the officer feared for his life.
The Austin American-Statesman reports general counsel for the Combined Law Enforcement Associations of Texas Michael Rickman said that the confrontation between officer Geoffrey Freeman and 17-year-old David Joseph lasted only seconds.
Rickman says Joseph was acting aggressively and that Freeman thought his life "could be taken."
Austin police Chief Art Acevedo has said Freeman has "tough questions" to answer about his decision to fire.
Freeman is on administrative leave.
Rickman's statements come days after activists demonstrated in front of City Hall, demanding Freeman's firing.
Both Freeman and Joseph are black.
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Records obtained by The Associated Press show the 10-year police veteran had been praised for calm in stressful situations.
