Dec. 9 (UPI) -- Robert Cameron Redus, a 23-year-old student at the University of the Incarnate Word in San Antontio, Texas, was fatally shot Friday morning after a traffic stop and a struggle with campus police officer Cpl. Christopher Carter.
Carter reportedly saw Redus "driving erratically at a high rate of speed" near campus.
"Carter was obligated to pull the suspect over to ensure the public's safety," UIW said in a statement.
The statement also said that Redus "repeatedly resisted" Carter's attempts to restrain him and that Redus stole his baton and started to hit him with it.
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"The officer drew his firearm and was able to knock the baton from the suspect who continued to resist arrest. Shots were fired."
Mohammad Haidarasl, who heard gunshots from his apartment near the scene, said he also heard a man who could have been Redus.
“I heard (a man) say, 'Oh, you're gonna shoot me?' like sarcastic almost," Haidarasl said.
But some of Redus' friends said that the university's account doesn't match up with his personality.
“He was not an aggressive person at all, so the story doesn't make sense,” 20-year-old Sara Davis said.
"We are understandably devastated by the death of our dear son Cameron and we ask for your prayers as we deal with our tragic loss," Redus' family said in a statement. "We trust that God is faithful and will see us through this most difficult time."
Carter has been placed on paid administrative leave as investigators look into the incident.
[San Antonio Express-News, CNN, KENS 5, Houston Chronicle]
