A Tribute to the Victims

In May of 2020, 6 African American lives were taken by law enforcement officers.

Dreasjon Reed (21) was fatally shot following a police pursuit in Indianapolis. The IMPD had not deployed the use of body cameras at the time. Reed spent about nine months with the U.S. Air Force in 2017 and was a student in the Air Force security forces field. His mother, Demetree Wynn, described Reed as “the protector. He’s the provider. If you needed, my son would make sure you got it.”

Hours after the shooting of Reed, McHale Rose (19) was shot to death as well. Four officers responded to a 911 distress call at 1:30 am (traced to Rose’s phone). The officers claimed Rose shot at them with a rifle, causing a shootout. The officers were unscathed, and are off work on administrative leave (standard procedure for cases like this).

On the 12th of May, Gregory Howe (37) was killed in a shootout. Sheriff Mike Chitwood stated that Howe was sitting in his pickup when he fired his shotgun at deputies. The four deputies (Sgt. John McDonald, detective Shawn Adkins, detective John Frazzini, and deputy Gareme Foster) opened fire, unloading 82 shots and striking Howe 14 times. The deputies were uninjured and placed on administrative leave.

On the 16th of May, a parking lot disagreement over a fender bender preceded a call to Baltimore County police, who subsequently shot and killed 29-year-old Robert Johnson Jr. Johnson was celebrating his cousin’s 15th birthday. The department said when Johnson exited his vehicle, a gun fell out to the ground, causing the officer to open fire. “He wasn’t even a threat, he dropped the gun,” a relative of Johnson said. “Y’all shot where kids were around. Y’all didn’t go by the protocol and the right procedures. They just got out of their car and started shooting.”

On the 25th, 46-year-old George Floyd allegedly attempted to use a counterfeit $20 bill when he was detained by authorities. The detaining involved one of the four officers kneeling on the neck of Floyd for 8 minutes and 46 seconds. Floyd did not appear to resist arrest and repeatedly told the officers “I can’t breathe” as he was being asphyxiated. Floyd died after six minutes of being kneeled on. The officer stood up after three more. “They treated him worse than they treat animals,” said Philonise Floyd, Mr. Floyd’s brother. “They took a life — they deserve life.”

Two days later, Tony McDade (38) was shot and killed. Police Chief Lawrence Revelle stated that “the suspect was in possession of a handgun, and a bloody knife” at the scene of a reported stabbing. A witness says the police officer called McDade a racial slur and told him to stop moving, and shot him after he stilled. Another witness said, “I never heard, ‘Get down, freeze, I’m an officer.’ I never heard nothing. I just heard gunshots.”

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On June 1st, David McAtee (53) was shot and killed after police opened fire on a local protest. McAtee was unarmed and was reportedly not part of the protest, but of a recurring social gathering where he served BBQ from his restaurant. The police’s body cameras were turned off and they left his body on the street for 12 hours. McAtee was known for serving cops free meals.

I named seven victims of police brutality. But there are so many more. In 2017, 223 African Americans were shot to death by police in the United States. In 2018, 209 were killed. In 2019, 235 were killed. 99% of killings by police from 2013-2019 have not resulted in officers being charged with a crime. As of 2020, 236 African Americans were killed by police violence.

Unarmed Eric Garner whispered “I can’t breathe” before being choked to death by police. Michael Brown pleaded “I don’t have a gun. Stop shooting.” John Crawford said “it’s not real.” Oscar Grant yelled “You shot me. You shot me!” Kenneth Chamberlain asked “Officers, why do you have your guns out?” Sean Bell murmured to his best friend, “I love you, too.” Amadou Diallo said “Mom, I’m going to college.” Trayvon Martin, after being stalked by police for buying a pack of Skittles, asked “What are you following me for?”

We will remember the victims of police violence. We will say their name. We will fight for equality so no one else has to die like these innocent people.

Black Lives Matter.

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