A younger athlete’s loss of life has been mired in thriller since he drowned in a Texas lake three months in the past. Now, two teenagers who had been with him have been charged with proof tampering – fueling anger and hypothesis about what occurred to Daniel Erving.
The 18-year-old drowned in April at Lake Ray Hubbard, about 15 miles east of downtown Dallas. Authorities have now charged two teenagers – 19-year-old Lucas Roper and a juvenile – with proof tampering, CNN affiliate WFAA reported.
“As a mother, I knew something was wrong on day one,” Erving’s mom, Tameca Erving, mentioned at a information convention Tuesday.
“I feel like my son only received partial justice. But we’re here to have murder charges brought against those two.”
The newest information within the Erving case evoked recent recollections of one other 18-year-old Black man, Nolan Wells, who died whereas on a Fourth of July journey to Horn Island off the coast of Mississippi.
While no official reason behind loss of life has been launched and no fees have been made in Wells’ case, his loss of life sparked racial tensions and widespread scrutiny after images confirmed Wells surrounded by White pals whereas on the journey.
In Erving’s case, “Two young white men come to his house to pick him up,” mentioned Ben Crump, who’s representing the households of Erving and Wells. “And they go fishing, swimming. And then they come back – but yet, Daniel doesn’t.”
“Something smells off to us,” mentioned Sean Daredia, one other Erving household lawyer, in keeping with CNN affiliate KTVT. “Daniel Erving was an honor roll student. He was a member of his swim team. He was a strong, healthy young athlete. For these two suspects to say he drowned and they left – it doesn’t add up.”
According to an affidavit, Roper and the opposite teen suspect are accused of throwing out Erving’s garments and driving away from the scene, KTVT reported. The affidavit additionally mentioned Roper admitted to deleting textual content messages between him and Erving.
CNN has reached out to Dallas police for added info.
Crump mentioned he needs instances like Erving’s to be “investigated as murder investigations until they prove themselves not to be murderers.”
In the meantime, Daredia mentioned the household is launching an impartial investigation.
This is a creating story that might be up to date.
CNN’s Alta Spells contributed to this report.