Corey Jones (2015)

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Overview

On October 18, 2015, Palm Beach Gardens Florida Police Department Officer Nouman Raja was working undercover when he stopped to help Jones, whose vehicle had broken down. Raja did not identify himself as a police officer. Jones, who had a concealed weapons permit, pulled his gun, prompting Raja to pull his and shoot Jones, killing him.[1][2]

On June 1, 2016, Raja was arrested and charged with Attempted First Degree Murder with a Firearm, which is a Life Felony punishable by up to life in prison, and Manslaughter by Culpable Negligence, which is a second degree felony punishable by up to 15 years in prison.[3]

On July 6, 2016, Jones' family sued Raja and the department, accusing the city of negligence, battery, and use of force, and Raja of battery and use of excessive force.[4]

On November 12, 2016, Raja was fired.[5]

On March 7, 2019, Raja was convicted of manslaughter while armed and attempted first-degree murder. Raja was the first Florida law enforcement officer in 30 years to be convicted of an on-duty shooting.[6]

On April 25, 2019, Raja was sentenced to 25 years for each charge, to be served concurrently.[7]

Raja appealed, claiming that a defendant should not be convicted of both manslaughter and attempted murder in the shooting of a single person.[1]

On April 28, 2021, the Fourth District Court of Appeal upheld the lower court's decision.[8][9]

Raja appealed.[1]

On November 5, 2021, the Florida Supreme Court rejected the appeal.[1][10][11]

On February 23, 2023, the city settled the family's lawsuit for $2 million.[12]

Video

There was no dashboard camera footage of the incident. No Palm Beach Gardens officers used body-mounted cameras at the time.[13]

Officers Involved


Official Reports

Additional Sources

Raja v State Respondent's Brief 2021-09-08

References