Police Kill Unarmed Man
In my lifetime, I have read many headlines like the one I posted. Whether it’s Timothy Thomas or Roger Owensby from Cincinnati, Ohio; or Sean Bell or Amadou Diallo in New York; or, now, Oscar Grant III of Oakland, CA.
Video has surfaced showing what appears to be an arrest of 22-year-old Oscar Grant III, at approximately 2am on New Year’s Day 2009. Police responding to a call on a BART train. It is not clear if Grant was involved in this fight. However, citizens with camera phones captured video of Grant’s arrest.
Just prior to his death, Grant is held down face-first by two officers, with other officers nearby. There appears to be a struggle and one of the officers stands up, draws his weapon and shoots Grant in the back. Apparently, the bullet, after going through his lower back, ricocheted off the ground and struck him in his lungs, killing him.
It is still unclear why the officer chose to shoot Grant. Grant had no weapons and police had him pinned to the pavement. But, instead of grabbing his cuffs, the officer reached for his gun.
Oscar Grant III leaves behind a 4-year-old daughter.
His family is seeking answers and has filed a $25 million lawsuit against BART’s police department and is asking prosecutors to consider murder charges for the officer who who Oscar Grant III.
The video of the shooting can be viewed here.
Popularity: 19% [?]
Sphere: Related Content