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Family, friends of victims: Police 'shoot first, ask questions later' must end

By Ashahed M. Muhammad -Assistant Editor- | Last updated: Dec 29, 2015 - 3:33:40 PM

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Chicago police accidentally shot and killed Bettie Jones as she opened her door. Photos: MGN Online
CHICAGO—At a time when the city’s police department is under fire with daily protests decrying excessive use of deadly force, two unarmed Black people have again been gunned down.

On Dec. 26 at approximately 4:25 a.m., police officers were called to respond to a domestic disturbance at a home located on the 4700 block of West Erie St. According to police, officers “were confronted by a combative subject resulting in the discharging of the officer’s weapon, fatally wounding two individuals.”

Killed were 19-year-old Northern Illinois University engineering student Quintonio LeGrier who was home for winter break, and Bettie Jones, a 55-year-old mother of five and a grandmother who was well loved within the community.

Quintonio was reportedly wielding an aluminum baseball bat and was agitated, possibly having a mental health episode when his father, Antonio, called police for assistance. Quintonio’s father reportedly owns the two-story building and Ms. Jones was a downstairs neighbor.

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Chicago Police shot and killed Quintonio LeGrier when responding to a domestic disturbance call.
Residents and family members of the shooting victims say this is yet another example that police are not out to “serve and protect.” Many activists believe police officers are really just looking for any excuse to shoot Black people down. Ms. Jones, it seems, was simply an innocent bystander who was either shot through her front door, or as she opened the door.

Family members and neighbors told The Final Call it is very possible police shot through the door. They identified what appeared to be bullet holes visible in the door and in the front of the house about a foot away from the doorframe.

Jacqueline Walker grew up with Ms. Jones just a few blocks away. She said police are too quick to use deadly force against the citizens officers are supposed to protect and serve.

“She was a beautiful woman. It hurts my heart to see that,” said Ms. Walker. “Why you got to shoot first and ask questions later! It’s ridiculous!” she said speaking through tears.

Community organizer Jahmal Cole also spoke about Ms. Jones, who was his wife’s aunt. They had spent time over the Christmas holiday with her.

“Bettie was a loving person who loved music and loved church,” said Mr. Cole who leads the organization, My Block My Hood My City. “She should not have to come outside, open the door and be shot down by a police officer.”

The Independent Police Review Authority, which has oversight over police conduct, is investigating. Quintonio’s father had asked his downstairs neighbor to keep an eye out for police, said the families of both victims. In a statement, police said: “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.”

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Community activist Jahmal Cole of the group My Block My Hood My City speaks to reporters. Bettie Jones, who was killed in the shooting, was his wife's aunt.

This shooting comes amid a federal civil rights investigation into the patterns and practices of the Chicago police department. It was announced and launched following the release of dashcam video showing Jason Van Dyke, a White police officer, shooting Black 17-year-old Laquan McDonald 16 times. The officer was charged with six counts of first-degree murder.

A press conference was held Dec. 27 in front of the residence where the two were shot and killed. An emotionally distraught Janet Cooksey, Qunitonio’s mother, spoke about her son, who was shot seven times. One bullet hit him in the buttocks, which indicates to her that he was turning away and not confrontational or combative as described by police. He was neither a gang member nor a thug and he recently ran in a charitable marathon, she said.

“That’s not his character, even when he was upset, that wasn’t his character,” said Ms. Cooksey. “My son was a good child, a child that wanted things … he’s not an angry child; he’s not a violent child,” she added.

“I used to watch the news daily and I would grieve for other mothers and other family members, now I’m grieving myself. When does it come to an end?” she asked.

“No mother should have to bury her child, especially under these circumstances,” said Ms. Cooksey. “Is a badge to kill? CPD has failed us over and over.”

She was strong during comments at the press conference, but emotion got the better of her as she hugged family members and cried.

Betty Turner was Quintonio’s great aunt. She said she stands not only for her nephew, but other young Black teenagers who have been shot down by police “like dogs.”

“I should have been standing a long time ago because a few years ago, I saw the police plant a gun on a young man and I was afraid to say anything,” said Ms. Turner. “As far as the police … if you are (so) afraid of these streets to the point that you’ve got to shoot first, you need to turn your badge in,” said Ms. Turner.

The officers involved in the shooting have been placed on administrative duty.

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Prayers for the family

Later in the afternoon, a prayer vigil was held at the two-flat apartment building where the two lost their lives. Among those present were Congressman Danny Davis (D-Ill.); Jason C. Ervin alderman of the nearby 28th Ward; State Representative Mary Flowers, Rev. Jesse Jackson of Rainbow/PUSH, and Cook County Commissioner Richard Boykin, who represents the district where the fatal shooting occurred.

Commissioner Boykin believes the shooting raises many “deeply troubling questions.”

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The residence on the 4700 block of West Erie St. where 19-year-old Quintonio LeGrier and 55-year-old Bettie Jones were killed by Chicago police.
“Why did the officers on the scene need to resort to the use of their firearms to subdue a young man with a bat? Why weren’t the officers equipped with Tasers so that Quintonio could be subdued without lethal force? How, during an officer response, did a 55-year-old mother of five come to be struck dead by bullets?” he asked.

Commissioner Boykin questioned the training of police officers when called to highly volatile situations, especially involving those with mental health issues. Quintonio may have been in need of restraint, but was lethal force necessary? he asked.

Embattled Mayor Rahm Emanuel was on vacation, but in a statement released the evening of Dec. 27, he ordered a review of policies related to how officers handle crisis interventions with a focus on encounters with those who may be suffering from mental illness.

“This afternoon I directed the new Acting Chief Administrator of the Independent Police Review Authority and the Interim Superintendent of Police to meet with each other as soon as possible to review the Crisis Intervention team training, around how officers respond to mental health calls,” said the mayor. He also cut his vacation short to return to Chicago.

Community organizer Ja’Mal Green, 20, has been heavily involved in nearly all the public protests against political corruption and police brutality. Wearing a shirt with the now ubiquitous slogan “Rahm Failed Us,” he said not all officers are trained to use Tasers, but “every officer is trained to kill. That is a problem.”

“We should not be here today, but now that we are, we’re going to use this story, this family, to put more pressure on the leaders to finally change the CPD culture in our neighborhoods,” he said.

And to Mayor Emanuel, Mr. Green issued yet another direct challenge.

“You failed us before, but now is your time to step up, or step down,” said Mr. Green.