Once again a shooting involving the Chicago Police Department is under the national media spotlight.
55-year-old Bettie Jones and 19-year-old Quintonio LeGrier were both shot by police on early Saturday morning after a report of a domestic disturbance. According to police, the personnel that arrived were “confronted by a combative subject resulting in the discharging of the officer’s weapon, fatally wounding two individuals.” The department also issued a statement saying that the shooting of Jones was not intentional.
“The 55-year-old female victim was accidentally struck and tragically killed. The department extends its deepest condolences to the victim’s family and friends.”
ABC 7 News reports that LeGrier was described as having mental illness by family members and that his father called the police after being threatened with a baseball bat.
LeGrier’s mother, Janet Cooksey, expressed her anguish and frustration when describing the shooting death of her son.
“Seven times he was shot,” Cooksey said. “He didn’t have a gun. He had a bat. One or two times would have brought him down.
“You call the police, you try to get help and you lose a loved one,” she said. “What are they trained for? Just to kill? I thought that we were supposed to get service and protection. I mean, my son was an honor student. He’s here for Christmas break, and now I’ve lost him.”
The incident comes as Chicago Police continue to be under heavy scrutiny for their actions and their relationship with the city’s African-American community. (Both Jones and LeGrier are black.) Chicago Police Department superintendent Garry McCarthy “resigned” earlier this month in what was essentially a dismissal by mayor Rahm Emanuel. This development did not stop holiday protests calling for Emanuel to resign over his handling of police and race in Chicago.
Emanuel issued a statement on the shooting on Saturday night while on vacation with family in Cuba.
“Anytime an officer uses force the public deserves answers, and regardless of the circumstances we all grieve anytime there is a loss of life in our city.”
(Via Mashable)