“People are still following up with the story. Just because she gone doesn’t mean it’s all forgotten,” Leah Craig said.
FORT WORTH, Texas — Fort Worth police officer William Martin is under investigation again, after an alleged hit-and-run that escalated into a shooting that injured one man.
The shooting happened during rush hour traffic Tuesday on the I-35W Southbound freeway access road. Officer Martin was in his personal car and off-duty at the time, according to the police.
FWPD said Martin told the 911 operator that the driver hit his car with a red Ford F-150 and then drove off. According to police Martin started following the truck.
Martin then told the 911 operator that the driver tried to ram into his car. Police say Martin then shot at the man multiple times. The driver was taken to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries, police said.
WFAA first reported that William Martin was the same officer who went viral after the December 2016 wrongful arrest of the late Jacqueline Craig. She called 911 for help. Her daughter Leah Craig watched the arrest unfold.
Years after the City of Fort Worth settled her case, Jacqueline Craig passed away.
“People are still following up with the story just because she gone doesn’t mean it’s all forgotten,” Leah Craig said.
Leah is now 18 years old and wears a jacket in her mother’s memory.
“It makes me feel some type of way because it is still going on,” Craig said.
WFAA obtained the Personal Status Report on Officer William Martin from the Texas Commission On Law Enforcement.
His records show a long list of training courses since he was hired at the Fort Worth Police Department in March 2006. Martin has completed online courses including Defensive Tactics, Use of Force, Community Relations, Cultural Awareness, Verbal/Nonverbal Communication, Community Relations, Sexual Harassment Recognition, Stress Management, Patrol Rifle In-service Training, Officer Safety/Survival, and Ethics in Law Enforcement.
Officer Martin has been placed on restricted duty as criminal and administrative investigations into the shooting are being conducted simultaneously, the department said.
Martin’s attorney declined to comment due to pending litigation. However, the Fort Worth Police Department promises transparency.
Fort Worth Mayor Mattie Parker shared her reaction to the case in a statement.
“I have full confidence that Chief Noakes will lead the investigation with the utmost professionalism and transparency. During this time, I am supporting the FWPD and the OPOM as they follow their established procedures related to these type of investigations.”
Transparency is something Leah says her mother would want too.
“One thing my mama went through that and one thing she always said, she wanted to go through so nobody else would have to go through it,” Craig said.
FWPD has yet to identify the man taken to the hospital.
The Tarrant County District Attorney will make a final decision about charges after reviewing the case once it’s turned over by the Major Crimes Unit at FWPD.