Austin's chief of police suspended Officer Leonardo Quintana 15 days for violating department policy in the shooting death of Nathaniel Sanders.
The attorney for Nathaniel Sanders’ family, Adam Loewy, says Chief Acevedo's decision is ridiculous, extremely disappointing, and he called it an insult to the Sanders family and to the entire Austin community.
But Loewy said he also is not surprised.
Loewy spoke to journalists just moments after Chief Acevedo announced his decision regarding Quintana.
Loewy included pictures from the scene of the shooting, and for the first time we were able to see the station wagon where Sanders and two other men were sleeping the night Sanders was shot and killed.
APD has always said that Sanders was shot because he struggled with Officer Quintana over a gun that was in the teenager's waistband.
Loewy says that has never been the case.
“There were tests done on a gun that was allegedly found at the scene and the tests came back and were very clear in stating that Nate Sanders’ fingerprints were not on the gun. They could not match his fingerprints on the gun. This is obviously a shocking revelation; this is something that APD has not discussed,” he said.
on_2wheels said on November 4, 2009 at 6:15 PM
Last time the family attorney was on the news he was claiming there was NO GUN.. now he admits there was a gun but the kid's finger prints were NOT on it. Do we really have to wait until July to have the civil trial.. let's shut this guy up now!
cash1 said on November 4, 2009 at 7:05 PM
I agree, Where were all the FAMILY & FRIENDS when this man/boy was out holding up people at the ATM machines, Doing Drugs, Sleeping in apartment parking lots and carrying a GUN....The parents and Friends say he was a good BOY!!!! Well, I think the history says the parents lost touch and now the POLICE as always when some person is shot, Killed or Jailed from EAST AUSTIN have to pay the price!! as well as the tax payer..I would feel the same way if it were a person from north or south austin....If the parents were in control of this person we wouldn't be writing about this right now. It's ashame the parents can't stand up and say--Yes , he was in the wrong...It's also ashame the parents didn't take notice until he was shot to get up and do something!!!!!too little , too late Mom & Dad....I hope the civil trial comes soon and gets this over with for all of Austin...I have to wonder what if Mr. Sanders would have shot and killed the policeman...
anonymousperson said on November 4, 2009 at 7:46 PM
Hmm, the headline may be vague. I thought the Sanders family was deeply disappointed in their "bright" son.
texasrn said on November 4, 2009 at 8:30 PM
Was the family "deeply disappointed" when their son was involved in crime? Or did they just turn the other cheek? Would the family be "disappointed" if their son shot and killed someone? (which would have happened based on the road he chose to take). I think the citizens of Austin are "deeply disappointed" that our police officers are being blamed for DOING THEIR JOB and trying to keep us safe!
blastoff said on November 4, 2009 at 9:09 PM
This why lawyers get a bad name. It sounds like this ambulance chaser is all about money and more money. I LOVE THE JOB APD DOES AND I HOPE THEY WILL RID OUR SOCIETY OF THESE SCUMBAGS!
yellowcat said on November 4, 2009 at 11:06 PM
the ''mom&dad'' if thats what you want to call them new that their ''good boy'' was a no good lowlife to start with.this is pay day for them. i wonder if they have more kids that they are waiting on to have a run in with the law. that will be a little more cash,
johann said on November 5, 2009 at 7:42 AM
The lawyer wants his 30 pieces of silver.
ahjay said on November 5, 2009 at 8:57 AM
Sanders Family: You condoned your son as a criminal; you did nothing to encourage him to be a law abiding citizen; you did not encourage him to stay and finish school; you ignored his kinown ciminal activites. Don't blame the City of Austin, and don't blame the APD officer who did his job. Go and take a long look in the mirror, and there you will find who is to blame for the loss of your son. NAACP: Move on.
firefox said on November 5, 2009 at 10:33 AM
Oh, please. Now I would like to express how 'deeply disappointed' I am that Nathaniel Sanders chose to be a heartless thug that robbed innocent people, including a disabled man. Did that disappoint his parents or are they just disappointed that their son died and not the police office who was defending his life? Bunch of freaks if you ask me.
musikman said on November 5, 2009 at 10:53 AM
"good kid" yeah, good for nothing. It was just a matter of time for that piece of S%^! if not now..... later.
cash1 said on November 5, 2009 at 8:41 PM
Again, today another OFFICER takes the hit for another EAST AUSTIN kid gone wrong....When is enough -enough...How many of our finest police officers have to be fired , investigated and demoted for enforcing the law in areas of high crime..alot of BLOOD MONEY has already been paid to EAST AUSTIN FAMILIES when one of their kids get killed for having a rap sheet as long as they are old!!! and doing something against the law.. I vote the police stay out of EAST AUSTIN and let them loot, Rob, Do their Drugs And Run Wild In The Streets....Each time the police enforce the law .... Some family makes a buck and a good policeman gets the BOOT....The Police Chief better grow some HAIR on his chest and stand up against the people of EAST AUSTIN....Yes, That is you CHIEF..Quit sitting on the fence...