Robert Redus, who was shot and killed by a University of the Incarnate Word police officer last week, was apparently partying in the bars along Saint Mary's Street before he was spotted weaving in traffic along Broadway, nearly colliding with oncoming cars.
Alamo Heights Police Chief Richard Pruitt says they're waiting for toxicology, but they have witnesses who joined in the binge drinking and he believes the level of alcohol played a significant roll in the fight that eventually led to him being shot five times outside of his apartment complex.
Dashcam video was apparently not available to investigators, but an audio recording caught on a lapel mic gave new details to the struggle that started when Cpl. Chris Carter pulled Redus over in the early hours of December 6th.
"Officer Carter instructed Robert Redus 14 times to place his hands behind his back and informed him three times that he was under arrest," Chief Pruitt says. "and to stop resisting 56 times."
During the fight, Redus was able to grab a police baton from Cpl. Carter's hand and use it to beat him about the arm and head. Chief Pruitt says there are bruises that match.
It was when Redus tried to charge the officer that a 40-calibur semi-automatic pistol was pulled.
"He warned Robert Redus four times, 'Stop or I'll shoot,'" Chief Pruitt said, referring to the audio recording.
Cpl. Carter was not armed with a Taser, something that many police forces, including Alamo Heigths, provde to their officer. Asked if Cpl. Carter backed off and let Alamo Heights Police handle the situation, did he think Redus would still be alive, Cheif Pruitt nodded
"It may have had a different outcome, yes."
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UIW student shot by campus police apparently on a drunken rampage