Teenagers tried to escape in Cruz's red Dodge Challenger as off-duty officer Johnson gave chase. He got into his SUV and followed them into Addison, where camera footage showed his SUV hitting the back of the Challenger, causing it to spin out of control near a gas station. After what police described as an altercation, Johnson shot into the Challenger, killing Cruz and wounding Rodriguez in the head.
Victim's Name: Jose Cruz
Agency Responsible: Farmer's Branch Police Department
Gender: Male
Age: 16
Race: Hispanic
Date of Death: March 13, 2013
County: Dallas
Cause of Death: Gunshot
Official Disposition: Charged with murder and aggravated assault
Criminal Charges: Charged with a crime
Mental Illness: No
Armed: Unarmed/Did Not Have an Actual Weapon
Weapon: unarmed
Off Duty: Off-Duty