Brad Miller, the police officer who shot and killed unarmed Angelo State football player Christian Taylor early Friday morning, has been fired for what Arlington, Texas, police chief Will Johnson termed as "inappropriate judgment" in the incident.
Miller was a first-year police officer whose training had not yet been completed, according to The New York Times.
Taylor had broken into a car dealership in Arlington and driven his vehicle through the front window of the building before police arrived. Although the shooting was not captured by Classic Buick GMC's security video, some of Taylor's actions prior to police arrival -- including vandalism -- were recorded on a video that was released over the weekend.
According to Johnson, Miller's mistakes included his decision to enter the building without his partner, who had more police experience, which led to "an environment of cascading consequences."
"Based on a preponderance of evidence available to me and facts revealed by the investigative team," Johnson said, "I have decided to terminate Officer Miller's employment with the Arlington Police Department for exercising poor judgment."
Johnson said Taylor never made physical contact with any officer.
As for possible criminal charges against Miller, Johnson said evidence would be turned over to the district attorney, who would then decide whether to convene a grand jury to potentially issue an indictment.
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