A white San Jose police officer who mistakenly shot a black college football star has resigned after officers discovered he sent racist text messages containing the N-word.
Mark McNamara resigned from his position this week after an investigation into his involvement in a shooting revealed that he had sent offensive messages to colleagues in which he stated that he “hated black people.”
In a 2022 incident, McNamara shot high school football star K’aun Green, now a linebacker at Contra Costa College, four times in the back, stomach and arm.
As an investigation began into why McNamara shot Green, officers were made aware of a series of text messages sent to two unnamed recipients – describing only an active department employee and a former department employee.
The texts referenced the shooting and were dated the day after the incident.
Mark McNamara resigned earlier this week after an investigation into his involvement in a 2022 shooting uncovered offensive messages he sent to colleagues in which he wrote that he “hated Black people.”
McNamara was involved in a shooting in which K’aun Green, a former high school football star who is now a linebacker for Contra Costa College, was shot four times in the back, stomach and arm
As an investigation began into why McNamara shot Green, officers were made aware of a series of text messages sent to two unnamed recipients – describing only an active department employee and a former department employee
But what was supposed to be a heroic moment for Green turned out to be a sad one because when the police arrived at the scene, they saw Green with the gun and assumed he was the shooter and subsequently shot him
One of the two dozen text messages read: “N**** wanted to carry a gun in the Wild West.” “Not on my watch haha,” while another read: “I hate black people.”
One of the two dozen text messages read: “N**** wanted to carry a gun in the Wild West.” “Not on my watch haha,” while another read: “I hate black people.”
San Jose Police Chief Anthony Mata said of the revelation: “Earlier this week, internal affairs investigators, as part of an independent criminal investigation into one of our officers, determined that the officer had sent disgusting text messages that displayed racial bias.”
“The Department of Internal Affairs immediately initiated a separate proactive administrative investigation. This news came to light in the last few days and hours and this officer is no longer employed by the city.
“The San Jose Police Department has zero tolerance for the single expression of racial bias.”
“The reports were found as a result of our Internal Affairs Division’s expansion of efforts to thoroughly investigate all questionable conduct. For this reason we have invested in a new early warning system.”
The employee who received the messages has been placed on administrative leave and is “awaiting an internal investigation.”
During a fight at Taqueria La Victoria in the city, Green fought with an active shooter and took his gun away. Then he held the gun in his hand and slowly began to leave the restaurant with his back to the door
McNamara was involved in a shooting in which K’aun Green, a former high school football star who is now a linebacker for Contra Costa College, was shot four times in the back, stomach and arm
During a fight at Taqueria La Victoria in the city, Green fought with an active shooter and took his gun away.
Then he held the gun in his hand and slowly began to leave the restaurant with his back to the door.
But what was supposed to be a heroic moment for Green turned out to be a sad one because when the police arrived at the scene, they saw Green with the gun and assumed he was the shooter and subsequently shot him.
After it was revealed that Green was not the active shooter in the restaurant brawl, police explained why they shot Green, saying that a murder had occurred a block earlier and they “feared” that the brawl and murder could be related.
Although a clarification was made, the police never apologized for their actions or backed down from their position.
Green’s attorney, Adante Pointer, argued that police could have taken many other, more thoughtful approaches
While Green was unaware of the revelation, his lawyers were aware of what had happened. One of them, Angel Alexander, revealed what Green thought of the lyrics, saying: “He was shocked and angry.”
Green’s attorney, Adante Pointer, argued that police could have taken many other, more thoughtful approaches.
“They had a lot of tactical options other than what they chose, which was just charging into a tight space where you don’t know who’s who, what’s what, how many weapons there are or anything like that,” Pointer said.
“They could have used the loudspeaker and said, ‘Everyone out, hands up, we’ve surrounded the place.’
While Green was unaware of the revelation, his lawyers were aware of what had happened. One of them, Angel Alexander, revealed what Green thought of the lyrics, saying: “He was shocked and angry.”
Officials said they did not expect criminal charges to be filed over the texts.