A member of Rep. Jasmine Crockett’s security team was killed by police during a standoff in Dallas, the congresswoman acknowledged in a statement, writing that she was “shocked by several disturbing revelations.”
Diamond Robinson, 39, is accused of standing in a Dallas police parking lot, barricading himself in his car, forcing his way out with tear gas and pointing a gun at officers, officials said. The police shot him dead.
Authorities said Robinson has a criminal history and was the subject of multiple “felony warrants.” Despite his criminal history, Robinson was able to work as a security guard for a sitting Congressman.
Crockett said her team followed procedures in contracting for additional security and that the vendor worked closely with law enforcement, including the U.S. Capitol Police. Mr Crockett said it was “alarming” that Mr Robinson was able to “evade the vetting process” and said the situation highlighted loopholes in the system.
Crockett said she knew Robinson as Mike King and that he was a member of her security guard for many years.
“I had no reason to suspect that he was not the person I envisioned him to be,” Crockett said in a statement. “He never put our team at risk, worked hard, collaborated with law enforcement, and maintained positive relationships throughout the community.”
Crockett, who has been a lawmaker since 2023, said her team looked into Robinson’s limited criminal history and found no violent crimes.
It added, “His past as we know it now does not apply to the person we came to know as Mike King. His death evokes a range of emotions. Our hearts grieve the loss of the man we knew and the lost good that his redemption may have brought.”
Christopher Cann is a national breaking news reporter for USA TODAY. Email us at ccann@usatoday.com.
