UNT Police Officer Cleared In Shooting Death Of Axe Wielding Student
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DENTON (KRLD) - A Denton County grand jury has decided UNT police Corporal Stephen Bean was justified in the December 13th shooting that claimed the life of 21-year old Ryan McMillan.
McMillan was seen on video swinging an axe and bashing car windows. Bean has been on administrative leave while the Texas Rangers investigated and the grand jury considered the case.
Margarigta Venegas of the University says it's the outcome they expected in a sad case.
She expects Bean to be put back on the street shortly. The McMillan family had been critical of the way the shooting happened saying they didn't believe lethal force was necessary.
The attorney for the family released this statement Thursday afternoon:
This no bill (failure to indict) presents more questions than it does answers to what happened December 13, 2015 when Ryan McMillan was killed by UNT Police Officer Stephen Bean. With the secrecy surrounding the investigation of this incident, we are not surprised by the Grand Jury's action. There has not been any transparency from the beginning only secrecy.
Secrecy in the so-called investigation by the Texas Rangers and secrecy in the Grand Jury proceedings. We are not comfortable with the lack of information about the UNT officer and this incident.
The weaponry issued to UNT police is still a secret, the options available to deadly force is still a secret. The full background and training of Officer Stephen Bean is still a secret.
How can we be confident with a no bill? This no bill still leaves a lot of doubt about this officer and this incident. What are they hiding?
UNT released the following statement on the matter:
The University North Texas community remains saddened by the death of student Ryan McMillan even as we appreciate the recent grand jury decision affirming UNT Police Department Corporal Stephen Bean's actions on the morning of December 13, 2015, were justified.
It is out of deep respect for his family and the legal process that we have not commented publicly on the investigation or grand jury's decision until we were contacted by the media.
The grand jury's action confirms what we steadfastly believe, Corporal Bean took the action necessary to protect the lives and safety of individuals in the area as well as his own life. The University believes he acted appropriately under the circumstances and showed commendable restraint before taking this action.
UNT is appreciative of the thorough and impartial investigation conducted by the Texas Rangers and by the grand jury.
Corporal Bean remains on administrative duty and is expected to return to regular duty soon.
We continue to extend our condolences to the McMillan family.
