Jasmine Crockett defends her late security guard, says no 'violent offenses' found in his record

WASHINGTON, DC: Rep Jasmine Crockett, D-Texas, defended her late security guard, Diamon-Mazairre Robinson, saying his criminal history contained no "violent offenses."

Robinson, 39, was shot and killed by Dallas Police SWAT officers on Wednesday, March 11, after he barricaded himself inside a vehicle in a children’s hospital garage. Police had tracked him while investigating an active warrant.

Jasmine Crockett mourns loss of her security guard

In a statement on Monday, March 16, Jasmine Crockett said her team followed all the proper steps to hire him and that he had also worked with other local organizations and law enforcement, including the Capitol Police.

"Our team followed all protocols outlined by the House to contract additional security. We were approved to use this vendor who also provided security services for additional entities in the local community and worked closely with law enforcement agencies including Capitol Police," she said.

Crockett expressed concern that someone could slip through the security vetting process for such sensitive roles, calling it a “loophole” in the system. She said, "The fact that an individual was able to somehow circumvent the vetting processes for something as sensitive as security for members of Congress highlights the loopholes and shortcomings in many of our systems."

"This is incredibly alarming, especially for those members who receive high volumes of credible and sophisticated death threats," she added in her statement. "This situation reiterates the need for Capitol Police to provide security for members of Congress, especially under this administration's new normal of inciting attacks on those who dare to speak out. We are fortunate that this is someone who used those loopholes without malice."

She claimed, "Furthermore, after an initial review of the limited criminal history of Diamon Mazairre Robinson in Dallas County, we've been unable to locate any violent offenses. There was never any reason to suspect that he wasn't who he held himself out to be."

She added that Robinson, who went by “Mike King,” had never put her team at risk, worked hard, coordinated with local police, and built positive relationships in the community.

Crockett shared, "His death evokes a range of emotions. Our hearts grieve the loss of someone we knew and the lost good that could have come from his redemption."

Body camera footage released showing showdown between Mike King and SWAT officers

Dallas Police released body camera footage showing the standoff between Robinson and SWAT officers in the Children’s Medical Center Dallas parking garage.

In the video, one officer can be heard shouting, “He’s got that gun on him!” as sirens blared and a police dog barked. Another officer urged Robinson to surrender peacefully, saying, “We want you to do what I give you and you won’t get hurt. We don’t want anybody to get hurt. It ain’t worth it. You exit the car. Don’t reach for it. Don’t do anything, and nothing will happen. Keep your hands up.”

Throughout the footage, officers repeatedly told Robinson to get out of his vehicle, keep his hands up, and avoid touching his gun. The video shows him pointing the weapon at officers, which led to a volley of gunfire.

Robinson had falsely convinced many people, including some law enforcement officers, that he was a police officer and that his private security placement company was legitimate. According to Dallas-based ABC affiliate WFAA, his clients included Congresswoman Crockett, as well as banks and hotels.