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The number of signatures was steadily increasing for an online petition that calls for justice in the case of an unarmed Black man who was fatally shot in the head last month by his racist white neighbor.

SEE ALSO: Will A Jury Convict Markeis McGlockton’s Killer In ‘Stand Your Ground’ Case?

By Sunday afternoon, there were more than 3,400 signatures on a Change.org petition titled “Demand Fort Worth, TX Investigate and Prosecute the Murderer of Kevin ‘Bo’ Battle.”

The Fort Worth Star-Telegram reported on Friday that the Fort Worth police turned the case over to the Tarrant County District Attorney’s Office for a grand jury presentation in what the investigators have said is a self-defense case. That ultimately means they don’t expect Mark Jabben to face legal consequences for gunning down 57-year-old Kevin Battle.

The petition states, “Because of the misinformation and lack of credible reporting, it became necessary to gather the facts of this incident and present them based on actual eye witness information. Based on the facts it should be clear that the ‘I feared for my life’ or the stand your ground law doesn’t apply in this case.”

“The detectives found that the victim and the suspect had been arguing for over a week, and that on the date of the shooting Jabben made a comment to the victim’s grandson,” Officer Jimmy Pollozani said in an email to the Fort Worth Star-Telegram. “Battle went to Jabben’s front door to confront Jabben about speaking to his grandson and a very brief argument ensued. Battle is believed to have attempted to enter into Jabben’s residence during the argument when Jabben fired three shots, striking Battle in the head.”

Tarrant County Medical Examiner’s Office said Battle had gunshot wounds to his head and face. The examiner ruled the manner of death as a homicide.

Battle’s son, Kevin Battle II, said that a week before the shooting, Jabben called his father by a racial slur. Battle II said a police report was made about the incident.

Jabben told Battle to “Turn that music down, Ni**er,” according to the Change.org petition.

The DA agreed to bring the case before a grand jury after meeting with homicide detectives on Wednesday, the newspaper said.

“The DA’s office agreed with detectives that grand jury review is the appropriate path moving forward with the case,” Pollozani said. “This is the same process and standards the Homicide Unit has followed in similar cases where self-defense claims can be corroborated by physical evidence.”

Texas is one of the states with a “stand your ground” law in which shooters walks free for claiming that they feared for their life. Many are concerned that Jabben will get a free pass for this killing.

SEE ALSO:

Black Family Gets Closure That Few Receive In ‘Stand Your Ground’ Shootings

‘Vague’ Stand Your Ground Law ‘Should Be Revised,’ Activists Demand

Rally in Tallahassee Against ‘Stand Your Ground’
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