Scores of demonstrators have gathered at a Washington, DC police station to protest the death of another young black man at the hands of officers, reportedly shot after brandishing a firearm during a foot chase.
More than 100 people congregated outside of the DC Metro Police Department’s 7th district station on Wednesday night following the police shooting of Deon Kay, 18, who later died of his injuries. Videos that circulated on social media captured the tense atmosphere outside the police station, including a brief scuffle with officers.
#JusticeForDeonThe pigs are still at it y’all!DC cops shot and killed an unarmed black boy who just turned 18. We need to start setting examples on these fucking pigs in uniforms since marches and protests don’t work. #DefundThePolice Police are the real criminals. #DefundMPDpic.twitter.com/d9WfKsWU4D
“Burn this mfer to the ground” #WashingtonDCpic.twitter.com/iGpSBKwMN0
Demonstration with over 100 people outside MPD’s 7th district station in DC after an officer shot and killed Deon Kay, a Black teenager who just turned 18 on August 10. Calls to defund MPD and invest in Black communities, housing, and health care instead. pic.twitter.com/vU6UZLBVdY
In a statement issued in the wake of the shooting, the DC police said that they responded to a call “to investigate a man with a gun,” finding two suspects who fled on foot. Officers pursued the two men, after which Kay is said to have “brandished a firearm,” and was shot one time in response, ultimately killing him. The second suspect was not apprehended.
#DCProtestspic.twitter.com/O1xAX6eIDI
Citing a law passed in June which mandates the release of police body cam footage within five days of an officer-involved shooting, protesters have demanded the MPD publish the video immediately.
Protesters and police outside the 7th district station. pic.twitter.com/PZhav44tPP
.@MayorBowser: Release the tapes and ensure #JusticeForDeon. We’re waiting. pic.twitter.com/gmvwFJ6QN9
While the demonstration at the 7th district station remained largely peaceful before disbanding – barring a brief pushing match near the beginning of the event – a small group of activists have traveled to the home of DC Mayor Muriel Bowser to continue the action, according to journalist Ford Fischer, who livestreamed from the scene of the protest. Police were already stationed at the mayor’s residence by the time protesters arrived.
Almost at Mayor’s house. MPD stationed nearby. pic.twitter.com/gqTv9vo9jo
Fischer also spoke with a local elected official, Paul Trantham, who said the police bodycam footage would be released sometime on Thursday, adding that it showed that the officers involved in Kay’s shooting had “acted appropriately.”
In spite of the action etc of the protest earlier, very important development was ANC Commissioner Paul Trantham (to those who don’t know – this is a local elected official) told me bodycamera footage will be released TOMORROW of the shooting.https://t.co/TA2i7L9ELP
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