The former Wolfe City police officer charged with murder in connection with the shooting death of a local man has been found not guilty. A Hunt County jury returned the verdict Thursday evening after closing arguments in the trial concluded earlier that day.
Shaun Lucas was on duty for the Wolfe City Police Department when he shot and killed Jonathan Price on Oct. 3, 2020, in the parking lot of the Kwik Chek convenience store, located at 103 Santa Fe St. in Wolfe City.
Lucas responded to a report of an altercation at the store and encountered Price upon arrival at about 8:24 p.m. The store’s security camera recorded the incident and was used in subsequent investigations and during this month’s trial.
A probable-cause affidavit said Price greeted Lucas and said “you doing good” several times while extending his hand in a handshake gesture. Price apologized for broken glass in the parking lot and told Lucas someone had tried “to wrap me up.”
The affidavit said Price appeared intoxicated and Lucas tried to detain Price, who said “I can’t be detained” as Lucas verbally commanded Price and grabbed at Price’s arm. Lucas then produced a Taser, at which point Price began to walk away from Lucas, the affidavit said.
Lucas’ Taser failed to work properly, at which point Price walked toward Lucas and appeared to reach out to grab the end of the Taser, the affidavit said. Lucas then fired his pistol and shot Price four times in the upper torso, the affidavit said. Price was taken by ambulance to Hunt Regional Hospital in Greenville, where he was pronounced dead.
On Oct. 5, 2020, the Texas Rangers released a statement saying a preliminary investigation found that Lucas’ use of deadly force was not justified. The Wolfe City Police Department and the Hunt County District Attorney’s Office assisted the Texas Rangers with the investigation. Lucas was charged with murder on Oct. 5, 2020, and fired from the Wolfe City Police Department on Oct. 8, 2020.
Lucas was booked into the Hunt County Detention Center in Greenville and was later transferred to the Collin County Jail, where he remained for almost two years.
The Greenville Herald Banner reported the jury in the 354th District Court deliberated more than six hours Thursday before returning the verdict. The trial began with jury selection on Sept. 12 and opening statements on Sept. 14. Lucas was represented by attorney Robert Rogers. The state was represented by First Assistant District Attorney Steven Lilley.