FORT WORTH (WBAP/KLIF News ) – There’s new information on the Tarrant County District Attorney’s Office’s decision to drop charges against four men involved in a minor car accident in Fort Worth that lead to a fatal shooting.
Newly released surveillance video and a 911 call shed light on what happened on University Boulevard Drive on the night of August 15,2022 when Dallas business owner Chin “Jin” Shin was killed.
The footage shows 43-year-old Shin arguing with a group after a minor fender bender that he caused. The driver of the car that was hit called 911.
In a Monday press conference with his attorney Lisa Pamplin, Markynn West said he was called to the scene by that driver and that he tried to calm things down.
“I knew he was drunk and I was helping him. We were talking,” he said. According to our media partner WFAA TV, a source close to the investigation said county toxicology tests appear to show Shin had elevated blood alcohol levels and a trace of other drugs.
Video taken at the scene shows one of the men punching Shin in the back of the head.
It then, shows Shin walking to his car, loading a gun, pointing the weapon and the firing at the group. That’s when the driver made a second call to 911:
Operator: Fort Worth Police, what is the location you’re calling about?
Caller: He got a gun. He got a gun. He hit us from the back and he got a gun. (screams)
Operator: What is your location? What is your location?
Caller: At university, he’s shooting at us. (screams, pop..pop)
Investigators said West returned gunfire, striking Shin. When officers arrived on the scene, Shin’s body was found lying on the side of the road.
A grand jury eventually indicted West for murder.
Pamplin said she knew that her client would be cleared with the evidence from the surveillance video from a camera on University Drive and the 911 calls were considered.
In a statement, District Attorney Phil Sorrell said that a review of the evidence in the case showed that a minor traffic accident and disagreement, Shin retrieved a handgun and pointed it at those present. West, in defense of himself and others, fired his weapon at Shin, resulting in Shin’s death.
The DA’s officer dropped the charges last week. Before the development, Shin’s family had publicly demanded justice for his death.
Three other men are still facing charges, although they have been downgraded. 30-year-old Quamon White and 34-year-pld Keeton Sheppard are accused of punching Shin and are charged with assault.
Last month, a grand jury declined not to indict 28-year-old Kameron Taylor on a murder charge.
A family member of West started a GoFundMe page to help recover lost wages and legal fees.
“Even though we will never get the time we lost back, he could still use help to take care of his son, pay tuition for barber college, and start a new life. He has always showed up for his community it’s time for us to show up for him.”
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