On July 5, Lubbock police were called to Parkway Drive around 3 a.m. because apparently 100 people thought “fight night” was a good way to celebrate Independence weekend. Things escalated fast—shots fired, chaos everywhere, and one 17-year-old, Terrence Hastings Jr., ended up dead after pointing a gun.
The officer involved fired twice, and according to LPD, Hastings kept reaching for his weapon even after being hit. Five other people went to the hospital with injuries from the brawl, but none from the officer’s gun. After the obligatory “months-long review,” the DA’s Office announced the officer was justified and the case is closed. Cue the press release boilerplate about “preserving innocent life” and “following ALERRT training.”
In short: officer cleared, case wrapped, and the department pats itself on the back for a job “well within policy.” Meanwhile, the public is left with the same tired cycle—another shooting, another “no wrongdoing,” another night in Lubbock where Parkway Drive sounds less like a street and more like a warzone.
At this point, should LPD just make a stamp that says “CLEARED” and save everyone the paperwork?
