U.S. police are facing criticism again just days after one of their officers was convicted of the murder of Black man George Floyd, an incident that sparked widespread outrage in the U.S. and beyond. In this new case, lawyers for the family of Andrew Brown, a Black man shot dead by police officers in North Carolina last week during his arrest, claim the victim was "executed." The attorneys refer to body camera footage indicating that Brown was deliberately killed, accusing police officials of withholding evidence.
Painful Details
The lawyers stated that Brown, 42, had his hands on the wheel of his vehicle when police officers opened fire on him while he was in the private driveway in Elizabeth City. Attorney Chantel Cherry-Lassiter remarked that officers "continued to fire after Brown had moved his vehicle away," adding that he posed no threat at the scene. Cherry-Lassiter, a member of the victim's family legal team, stated: "They were shooting while simultaneously saying, 'Let us see your hands.' Frankly: this is an execution." The incident has triggered limited protests in Elizabeth City, which has a population of about 18,000, half of whom are Black.
The occurrence came just after the conviction of Derek Chauvin, a Minneapolis police officer, for the murder of George Floyd after a highly publicized trial. The city declared a state of emergency before the Brown family could view the video footage, anticipating potential unrest.
What Did the Police Say?
Police Chief Tommy Wooten and Deputy Daniel Fogg stated last week that the shooting occurred during an attempt to arrest Brown on drug-related charges, noting that "Brown has a history of resisting arrest." Wooten posted on social media: "The tragic incident was quick and lasted less than 30 seconds. The body cameras were shaking and sometimes it is difficult to ascertain (what is happening). They convey only part of the story." CNN reported that the death certificate indicates Brown died from a gunshot wound to the head.
