A North Carolina Deputy fatally shot a Black man Wednesday while serving a search warrant, authorities said, prompting outrage from the community.
What We Know:
- The shooting happened about 8:30 a.m. in Elizabeth City, North Carolina. Officials didn’t provide many details about the shooting, including what the warrant was for, or how many shots were fired at Brown. According to witnesses, Brown was attempting to drive away when the officers fired at him multiple times. His car eventually skidded out of the yard before striking a tree.
- Demetria Williams, a friend of Brown’s who lives down the block told reporters she heard gunshots Wednesday morning and came running towards the scene. “I got down there and they were shooting at the car,” said Williams.
- She counted 14 shell casings on the ground, noting the rear windshield had been shot out. She saw deputies remove Brown’s body from the car and attempt CPR. However, it was too late. “When they opened the door he was already dead,” said Williams.
Clearly yesterday’s verdict meant nothing for the police in North Carolina who felt they had the audacity to kill another black man in his own car.
Say his name: #AndrewBrown
Abolish the Police. pic.twitter.com/Q097DABNH6
— leguminati (@boltsandbombers) April 21, 2021
- The incident drew dozens of protestors to the scene, with a larger crowd gathering around City Hall later that day, according to ABC. The City Council held an emergency meeting where Black members of the council expressed their thoughts. Councilman Gabriel Adkins said he was “afraid as a Black man,” that he would be next.
- City Councilman Darius Horton called for an explanation behind the shooting and the immediate release of bodycam footage. Brown’s aunt, Clarissa Brown Gibson echoed these sentiments, stating, “We want to know if he was served with a warrant, why the shooting over a warrant?” Keith Rivers, president of the Pasquotank County NAACP chapter added, “Is it open season now? At some point, it has to stop. We have to start holding the people in charge accountable.”
The case has been turned over to the State Bureau of Investigation who will turn their findings over to the District Attorney. Currently, the identities of the officers involved have not been revealed, but seven deputies have been placed on leave following the shooting.
