FARMERS BRANCH, Texas — Dozens of protesters chanting "Jose Cruz" forced a chaotic end to a Dallas area city council meeting Tuesday with tensions spilling over into the parking lot as protesters chased the mayor.
More than 200 people gathered outside Farmers Branch City Hall calling for justice in the death of 16-year-old Jose Cruz.
Former Farmers Branch police officer Ken Johnson, who was off-duty at the time, is accused of fatally shooting Cruz in March.
Police say Cruz and a friend, Edgar Rodriguez, were caught stealing from cars in an apartment parking lot. Johnson confronted them, chased them, and then shot into their car, fatally wounding Cruz. Johnson is charged with murder and aggravated assault.
On Tuesday, the protesters, led by spokesman Carlos Quintanilla, quietly filed in to council chambers. The public comment portion of the meeting was already complete by the time they went in.
City council member Ana Reyes acknowledged the assembled group and thanked them for being respectful of the proceedings.
Mayor Bob Phelps then called for a motion to adjourn the meeting.
Quintanilla asked to be heard, saying he wanted a meeting with the mayor or city manager. He said the Cruz family deserved an apology.
“I understand you have an agenda," he said. "We want to meet with you, or we want to meet with somebody from the city of Farmers Branch to discuss the murder of Jose Cruz.
“We will not leave today until we have a response from you or the city manager," he continued. "And if not, we’ll go to your home, mayor.”
“You’re going to do what?” Phelps asked.
Quintanilla repeated himself, and the mayor replied, “You’d better not!”
The meeting then officially adjourned, and police officers escorted the council out of the chambers.
The protesters seemed to take over the now-emptied council chambers and started chanting.
Soon after, protesters surrounded the mayor's vehicle and prepared to do a sit-in. Officers quickly moved Phelps to a police vehicle as protesters attempted to approach.
Officers pushed back protesters, grabbing them as they rushed forward.
"It kind of scares you," Phelps told WFAA-TV, Dallas-Fort Worth, on the phone from inside the police car. "But I have a good police department taking care of me."
Protesters chased after the police car as it drove away.
When asked whether Quintanilla believed the actions of the protesters were appropriate, Quintanilla said, "We think whatever is necessary to get the attention of the mayor and the city of Farmer's Branch. We asked him to meet us and he refused to meet with us."
Phelps said there's no reason to meet with the group.
"This is an investigation and the courts and the lawyers are handling it," Phelps said. "I don't have anything to do with it."
The crowd remained for about a half-hour longer as officers guarded the city hall's front doors.
Quintanilla said there will be more protests like this until there is an apology from the city.
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