Grand jury to review officer-involved shooting of Tymar Crawford

A grand jury will review the facts and circumstances surrounding the death of a Pensacola man who was shot by police officers this summer. 

Tymar Crawford, 28, was killed outside a residence near C and Brainerd streets July 5. According to the Pensacola Police Department, Crawford fled from an attempted traffic stop at low speed, struggled with police after exiting his vehicle and disarmed an officer during the struggle — prompting another officer to shoot Crawford.

Some citizen activists have been critical of the police response. They argue Crawford was initially stopped for what was suspected to be a minor drug offense — marijuana odor emanating from his car — and officers should have been able to resolve the situation without killing Crawford. 

State Attorney Bill Eddins said he initiated the grand jury review "because of the widespread interest in the case and the concerns expressed by some of the people involved." He thought it appropriate that a cross section of the community be able to review the matter.

The grand jury will review two aspects of the case: first, whether officers violated any criminal statutes, and second, whether the Pensacola Police Department has adequate policies and training in place regarding the use of deadly force.

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Eddins said the grand jury will review all the facts and circumstances of the incident, including testimony from both law enforcement and civilian witnesses. He said he anticipates that the grand jury will begin meeting within the next two months, and that it is not unusual for his office to ask a grand jury to review the operations of local government.

In the event the grand jury finds evidence criminal violations occurred, the State Attorney's Office could move to prosecute. If the grand jury finds the PPD's policies and procedures lacking, it could issue recommendations for the department to make improvements.

Jamil Davis, lead organizer of the group Pensacola Dream Defenders, has been one of the leading voices calling for police reform in the wake of Crawford's death. 

"We hope justice is delivered," he said, "but in most cases involving a grand jury — even with all the evidence — most grand juries side in favor of the officer."

On the city's side of things, Pensacola City Administrator Chris Holley said the city had received word that the Florida Department of Law Enforcement has finished its investigation of the incident, so the PPD will now begin its own internal review of the case.

Kevin Robinson can be reached at 850-435-8527 or krobinson4@pnj.com.