Charlotte, N.C.- Former football player for A & M, 27 year-old Jonathan Ferrell, was fatally shot early Saturday morning. Apparently, Ferrell crashed his car in the woods near a quiet neighborhood. He walked half a mile and knocked on the door of the nearest house. The woman, fearing for her safety, called the police. Among the police that responded to the call was Officer Randall Kerrick, 24. Kerrick said that he tried to use his taser to stop Ferrell from running at the officers. When that failed Kerrick used his firearm. He shot Ferrell 10 times, where he died on the scene.
At first, N.C. Police issued a statement saying that his duties were "right and lawful." After further inquiry, the Charlotte-Mecklenburg police said that "the investigation showed that the subsequent shooting of Mr. Ferrell was excessive" and "Kerrick did not have a lawful right to discharge his weapon during this encounter." Kerrick was arrested on charges of voluntary manslaughter and posted a bond of $50,000.
In my opinion, when police use excessive force, it is rare that there is a retribution that seems fitting for such acts. If you recall the fatal BART shooting of Oscar Grant, 22, Officer Mehserle received a charge of Involuntary Manslaughter, which carried a 2 year sentence. Appalled by the charges, there were protests in Oakland and a lawsuit filed by Grants family. Hopefully, there is justice for the Ferrell family so that they can be assured that this won't happen to another innocent man.
There needs to be justice in all matters of excessive force and murder; regardless of whether or not the assailant is a police officer. There is a distrust that comes with incidences like this; where an unarmed and already injured man is shot 10 times. The police are supposed to protect a cities citizens, yet more people fear the police than confide in them for assistance.
http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-504083_162-57603126-504083/jonathan-ferrell-death-ex-florida-a-m-football-player-killed-by-n.c-cop-died-of-multiple-gunshot-wounds-report-says/
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/09/15/jonathan-ferrell-killed_n_3931282.html
http://www.heavy.com/news/2013/09/jonathan-ferrell-college-football-randall-kerrick-shooting/
Honestly, there are so many things I don't understand about the circumstances of this, but in an institutional context they start to make sense. Like, there is no reason to shoot an unarmed man with a head injury 10 times. But if you realize that the officer was approaching the scene with the expectation (as taught by his fellow officers and department) that his duty was to maintain order instead of his duty being to help the community, it's less irrational. It also really creeps me out that the department's first response was to say the officer's actions were "right and lawful." Seriously, no police shooting is EVER supposed to be pronounced right or justified or anything else without an official investigation. Why get out ahead of the actual facts unless you need to prove something? I'm so exhausted and angry with hearing about police shooting and killing people of color, then saying that the officer chose the correct course of action, and letting that person who has murdered one of the citizens they are charged with protecting keep their job, gun, and authority. It sends a very clear message, and that message doesn't make anyone feel safe.
ReplyDeleteYou're right and usually the department always defends the officer first, even though the loyalty and protection should first and foremost be for the citizens they serve. I'm just glad that the officer involved was arrested, due to further investigation. It is disheartening and it isn't the case with most police officers, but even one incident puts a stain on the whole organization.
ReplyDelete