Dallas police officer charged with 2 counts of capital murder

A Dallas police officer was charged with two counts of capital murder on Thursday over two killings in 2017 that authorities say were unrelated to his work.

Dallas Police Chief Eric Garcia announced the charges against Officer Bryan Riser during a news conference. Riser was taken into custody on Thursday morning.

Garcia said that the department received information from a witness that implicated Riser in both killings.

One occurred in March 2017, when officers found a woman named Lisa Saenz deceased in water and with multiple gunshot wounds. According to Garcia, a witness said in August 2019 that Riser had directed him to kidnap and kill her.

The witness also allegedly said that he was instructed by Riser to kidnap and kill Albert Douglas, who was reported missing in February 2017. Douglas’s body was never recovered.

Garcia emphasized that Riser was off duty in both incidents. Riser reportedly had a relationship with at least one of the victims.

Riser had been working for the police department since August 2008, Garcia said. He is currently on administrative leave pending outcome of an internal affairs investigation, though he is in custody.

Garcia said the department would expedite the internal affairs investigation so that Riser is no longer on the force.

“This individual has no business wearing this uniform,” Garcia said. “And that’s just not me as police chief, I guarantee you every man and woman that wears this uniform and does this job honorably does not want anyone tarnishing our badge.”

Riser was previously arrested four years ago and was charged with a misdemeanor assault, according to CBS Dallas-Fort Worth.