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HomeMORETECH & STARTUPInvestigation Deems Texas Tech Police-Involved Shooting Justified

Investigation Deems Texas Tech Police-Involved Shooting Justified


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  • A June 24th Texas Tech University police-involved shooting has been ruled justified.
  • The Lubbock County District Attorney’s Office concurred with the Lubbock Metropolitan Special Crimes Unit that the officers’ use of force was justified.
  • The four officers involved have been cleared to return to duty.
  • Two officers were injured in the incident, one of whom remains hospitalized.

Texas Tech has announced that the investigation of a police involved shooting leading to one person dying on June 24 has been ruled justified.

According to the Texas Tech Police Department, the Lubbock Metropolitan Special Crimes Unit’s investigation found the use of force in the incident was “justified,” with the Lubbock County District Attorney’s Office concurring.

The investigation findings also result in the four TTUPD officers involved during the incident — Levi Ridley, James Black III, Tanner Eade and Dante Prater — cleared to return to duty and removed from paid administrative leave following the use-of-force investigation.

This comes after the university’s police department placed the officers on paid administrative leave while the investigation was conducted.

According to the investigation, it was found that the officers were part of a response in the early morning hours of June 24 to a suspicious vehicle parked near Jones AT&T Stadium. Police said they encountered Rhino Simboli, a 63-year-old man from Ohio, who produced a firearm and opened fire on the officers. Officers returned fire, resulting in Simboli’s death.

During the incident, Black was struck by both gunfire and Simboli’s vehicle. According to TTUPD, Black is still being treated in a local hospital for his injuries. Ridley was also struck by gunfire and has since been released from the hospital.

Friends and family members have created GoFundMe accounts to help support the wounded officers and their families.

Support Officer Levi’s Recovery Journey

Support Officer James Black’s Recovery Journey

Mateo Rosiles is the Government & Public Policy reporter for the Lubbock Avalanche-Journal. Got a news tip for him? Email him: mrosiles@lubbockonline.com.



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