A plainclothes police officer fatally shot a black man stranded with car trouble


A plainclothes police officer fatally shot a 31-year-old black man after car troubles left him stranded on a highway ramp in Florida early Sunday morning, the Palm Beach Post reports. Palm Beach Gardens officer Nouman Raja left his unmarked car to investigate Corey Jones' vehicle, which he had thought was abandoned, and shot Jones after being "suddenly confronted," according to a police department statement Monday.
Jones, a well-known local drummer, was "armed," according to the statement, which did not specify a weapon. Several friends and family members of Jones are looking for more information from authorities, saying they didn't know Jones to carry firearms.
"He was like a really peaceful guy," Jones' bandmate Mathew Huntsberger told the Post. "There's no way he had a gun."
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
The police department put Raja, who was on duty at the time, on paid administrative leave. The Palm Beach County Sheriff's Office is investigating the incident, the latest to come under scrutiny as protesters nationwide draw attention to instances of police brutality against black people.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Julie Kliegman is a freelance writer based in New York. Her work has appeared in BuzzFeed, Vox, Mental Floss, Paste, the Tampa Bay Times and PolitiFact. Her cats can do somersaults.
-
Today's political cartoons - May 10, 2025
Cartoons Saturday's cartoons - artificial intelligence, cryptocurrency, and more
-
5 streetwise cartoons about defunding PBS
Cartoons Artists take on immigrant puppets, defense spending, and more
-
Dark chocolate macadamia cookies recipe
The Week Recommends These one-bowl cookies will melt in your mouth
-
Nobody seems surprised Wagner's Prigozhin died under suspicious circumstances
Speed Read
-
Western mountain climbers allegedly left Pakistani porter to die on K2
Speed Read
-
'Circular saw blades' divide controversial Rio Grande buoys installed by Texas governor
Speed Read
-
Los Angeles city workers stage 1-day walkout over labor conditions
Speed Read
-
Mega Millions jackpot climbs to an estimated $1.55 billion
Speed Read
-
Bangladesh dealing with worst dengue fever outbreak on record
Speed Read
-
Glacial outburst flooding in Juneau destroys homes
Speed Read
-
Scotland seeking 'monster hunters' to search for fabled Loch Ness creature
Speed Read