Unarmed Handcuffed Teen Shoots Himself in the Head While In a Police CarKimberly Paxton Yes, you read that right. The Durham PD is spinning it that way. I couldnt make this stuff up if I tried. If this is baffling to you, its okay. The police chief realizes that if you arent a cop, you might not understand how this could happen. A Durham teen died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head, Durham Police Chief Jose Lopez said Wednesday afternoon at a news conference. Lopez said a handgun was found in the car and that Huerta was still handcuffed from behind. He said the wound was self-inflicted. The medical examiners office has confirmed that Jesus Huerta died from a gunshot wound to his head, Lopez said. Whether that wound was accidental or intentional is unknown at this time. I know that it is hard for people not in law enforcement to understand how someone could be capable of shooting themselves while handcuffed behind the back, Lopez said. While incidents like this are not common, they unfortunately have happened in other jurisdictions in the past. (source) Huertas family is not buying the official story for a second. Huertas family released a statement following the press conference held by Lopez. The family of Huerta said the press conference did not release any new information to the public. How did Jess end up dead in the parking lot at police headquarters in these circumstances? Searched. Handcuffed behind the back. How is it even possible to shoot oneself? the statement reads. (source) The Huerta family has presented a petition with 16,000 signatures to the FBI, demanding that the Department of Justice launch a federal investigation into the death of Jesus Huerta. We want answers about how my brother died, said Evelin Huerta in a written release. But that cant be taken out of the context of a police department with a history of discriminating against black and Latino people. Durham Police Department has a problem, and it will take the Department of Justice to make sure no one else loses a son and a brother like my family did. (source) Kimberly Paxton is a staff writer for the Daily Sheeple, where this first appeared. Sheis based out of upstate New York. 