A mother in Charlottesville, Virginia is demanding justice after her son was fatally shot by state police.
What We Know:
- On Saturday, January 9th, 2021, Virginia State Police claim to have engaged in a high-speed chase on Interstate 64, where officers began pursuing 18-year-old Xzavier Hill after he was spotted driving 98 mph in a 65 mph zone. When the chase ensued, police allege that the teen drove up to 120 mph before attempting to make a U-turn and crashing his vehicle. Two state troopers approached Hill’s vehicle and ordered him to exit the car with his hands up. They claim Hill was holding a firearm, prompting them to open fire. Xzavier Hill was fatally shot.
- After his death, mother LaToya Benton and other family members were granted access to the dashcam footage that captured his final moments. They claim he never pulled out a gun when officers shot him. In fact, the family claims that most of the officers’ statements do not match the dashcam footage.
“My son is not a thug, He’s a child, he’s 18 years old. I’m begging with you all, I’m pleading with you all. Please, I want justice for my son. He reached out [and] he got shot in his left hand,” Benton told reporters. “He was out of the car with his left hand and he turned his body around” in an attempt to place his right hand out of the window. “Xzavier says, OK, my door is open. The officers go to open the door to get in there … and they never gave him a chance to get out of the car.”
- Benton claims Hill was not holding a gun in the footage. Hill did not own a firearm, despite officers claiming they found a jammed gun in his vehicle. They are now saying the alleged weapon was reported stolen the day after Hill’s death. The family also questions if the officers ever engaged in a high-speed chase with the teen. The chase allegedly began in Henrico County and ended in Goochland County over the course of four minutes. The officers involved have been placed on paid administrative leave while police investigate the incident.
- Virginia state police spokesperson, Corrine Geller, says that they’ll release the dashcam footage to the public after the pending investigation concludes. “The investigation remains ongoing and the state police have no additional information to release at this time. Once the investigation is complete, state police will turn its criminal investigative findings over to the Commonwealth’s Attorney for final review and adjudication,” Geller said.
Xzavier Hill worked as a lifeguard, who often helped his mother run her cleaning business, and is a recent high school graduate. The family has put together a petition, urging for the police to release the footage of Xzavier’s death. They have also created a hashtag called #JusticeforXzavier in order to spread awareness.
