Weekend protests planned in Columbus
The family of Donovan Lewis, an unarmed 20-year-old man, was shot and killed by a Columbus police officer on Tuesday, is calling for peaceful protests this weekend and demand change as the community handles the murder.
Officer Ricky Anderson shot Lewis early Tuesday morning while Lewis was in bed during an arrest charged with domestic violence, assault and improper handling of a firearm. Lewis died at the hospital and police released camera footage after the shooting.
What’s next: The state has opened an investigation, and Anderson is on paid administrative leave. Once the investigation is complete, it will be presented to the jury for a possible indictment.
This weekend: A series of protests and marches were planned in response to Lewis’ death. On Friday, more than 100 protesters gathered outside the police headquarters, where Lewis’ parents spoke. The Columbus Urban League plans to hold a public forum about the shooting Saturday morning.
Here are the things to know:
Full body camera video: Officer fires weapon almost immediately after entering bedroom
Police arrived at Lewis’s apartment early Tuesday morning to arrest him on multiple warrants. Columbus Police Chief Elaine Bryant said officers detained the two after they opened the door to the apartment, tried to get Lewis out of his bedroom and sent a dog inside to locate him. ta.
Video released by the city on Tuesday shows Anderson, a 30-year ex-cop assigned to the dog unit, pulling out his weapon before opening the bedroom door. An officer shouted, “Hands!” and shined a light on Lewis as he sat up in bed. Anderson fired a shot almost instantaneously.
Bryant said Lewis was holding what appeared to be a vape pen during filming, which could be seen on the bed next to him. Officers continued to shout orders and handcuff Lewis before taking him out and providing medical assistance before paramedics arrived.
Donovan Lewis family: Unreasonable shooting
Rex Elliott, an attorney for the Lewis family, said on Thursday that Lewis followed orders in the shooting and called Anderson’s actions “excessive, deadly force.”
Elliott said the family wants to see Anderson held accountable.
“They want this policeman punished …” he said. “We anticipate filing action against the police officer who committed this reckless act.”
Meanwhile, Lewis’ family called for a peaceful protest.
“Rest assured, we will bring justice to Donovan and do everything in our power to stop these senseless killings,” the family said in a statement Wednesday. “There cannot be another young being of Black captured this way.”
Parents say Lewis has a ‘kind heart’ in protest
Donovan Lewis’ parents spoke publicly on Friday about their son for the first time since his death when protesters gathered outside the Columbus Police Department headquarters.
Daryl Lewis, Donovan’s father, said: ‘He is very sweet and kind even when someone disrespects him and there is a situation. “He’s so forgiving that he’ll forget it and still come to you and show you love.”
“He loves music,” Lewis’ mother, Rebecca Duran, said through tears. “He loves to sing. He loves sports. He wants to be loved and loves people unconditionally. He has a lot of friends from many different backgrounds. He is more than what they want him to be. How does it look like”.
Funeral and autopsy reports will come
Lewis’ funeral will be held next weekend at the Marlan J. Gary Funeral Home’s Peace Chapel.
The Franklin County coroner’s office said it has released Lewis’ body, but an autopsy report is not available and won’t be available for some time. Coroner’s Dr Anahi Ortiz said on average her office takes 10 to 16 weeks to complete the autopsy reports, but a preliminary report may be available sooner in some cases.
Communities, leaders respond to the shooting
After the video is released, community leaders and organizations push for a transparent investigation and planned events.
►Urban League President Stephanie Hightower said the shooting – the third in eight days involving a Columbus police officer – shows why the community is asking for a civil review board and inspector general in 2020.
“We understand that serving a felony warrant creates a dangerous and highly volatile situation,” Hightower said. “And yet, the video captured by the camera caused another black man to lose his life.”
►US Representative Joyce Beattya Democrat representing Ohio, said the officer had failed to properly assess the situation prior to the use of deadly force.
►Senator Sherrod Brownan Ohio Democrat, said Lewis’ death showed the need for continued law enforcement reform.
“It’s the job of law enforcement to protect and serve their communities,” Brown said. “This is not the reality that blacks and browns have to face – not when young men are.” as old as Donovan could be killed in their beds.”
The shooting incident, the police carried out an investigation
The Ohio Department of Criminal Investigation is investigating the shooting death of Lewis and another incident in which a gunman was shot and wounded by an officer as he fled. Meanwhile, the U.S. Department of Justice is looking more broadly at its operations in the wake of a spate of police shootings of Black people and criticism of the city’s response to the protests. racist injustice 2020.
On Tuesday, Sheriff Bryant and Columbus Mayor Andrew J. Ginther promised transparency in investigations into all three recent shootings involving Columbus and urged the public to await the results of their investigations.
Officer rarely charged or convicted even in cases of famous police violence and often cite their training as a defense against allegations of excessive force.
Brian Higgins, an adjunct professor at the John Jay College of Criminal Justice in New York and an expert on police operations, says the body footage shows Anderson’s sonic tactics.
“It looks like he did everything to current best practice standards,” says Higgins.
USA TODAY reporter Ashley Williams and The Columbus Dispatch reporter Jordan Laird contributed.
Contact Breaking News Reporter N’dea Yancey-Bragg at [email protected] or follow her on Twitter @NdeaYanceyBragg