Month: June 2021

Nicolas Chavez, 27, was shot and killed on April 21, 2020 by police officers in Houston, Texas.

Police said officers responded to a call about a suicidal person who was armed and running in and out of traffic. It is said that Chavez was experiencing a mental health crisis when the officers found him.

Chavez reportedly ignored commands and threatened officers, according to police. After that officers fired at least 21 rounds at him. He was unarmed, although HPD claims he reached for a Taser.

Four of the officers involved in the shooting were terminated from HPD in September 2020, but the family said that’s not enough. They want criminal action. In April 2021 the family of Nicolas Chavez has filed a $100 million lawsuit against the city, the Houston Police Department and five current and former officers who shot Chavez.

In July 2021, a federal judge dismissed a $100 million lawsuit filed by the family of Nicolas Chavez, who was shot more than 20 times by Houston police last year. U.S. District Judge Lee Rosenthal granted the city’s motion to dismiss the suit against the City of Houston, the Houston Police Department and five police officers who were involved in the shooting.

Andrew Hall, 43, died following a “violent struggle” with up to six police officers in Bradford, UK.

Andrew Hall was taken to hospital after consuming a large quantity of brandy and prescription drugs in September 2016. He allegedly slapped a nurse and was moved to a police station, where he was restrained during an altercation.

The whole incident was captured on CCTV, which was shown during the inquest on April 21, 2021. The video showed up to six officers struggling with Mr Hall, delivering a number of punches and knee strikes. Hall strikes his head on the floor a number of times. Hall was eventually double-handcuffed and put in leg restraints before he was taken back to hospital on a stretcher.

Hall was “still struggling” and being restrained by several police officers while he was examined by doctors. A decision was taken to sedate Hall, after which doctors could not resuscitate him. It was later found that he had a undiagnosed severe heart condition. In April 2021 Hall’s family said they want justice for him.

Police officers used “justified, necessary and proportionate” force to restrain a man who later died, an inquest jury has found.

Isaiah Brown, 32, was shot by a deputy in Spotsylvania, Virginia.

He was shot on April 21, 2021, by a sheriff’s deputy who had given him a lift home after his car broke down. Not long after the deputy left, Isaiah Brown called 911. The sheriff’s office categorized the call as a domestic situation between Isaiah Brown and a family member.

The same deputy who helped Isaiah Brown earlier returned. Within minutes, he opened fire. Brown was shot at least 10 times. Police say the officer mistook a phone for a gun. In the body camera footage, the deputy is heard telling Brown to drop a gun and stop walking towards him.

Brown was taken to a local hospital after the shooting with serious but non-life-threatening injuries, according to statements from the Police. An attorney for Brown’s family said he will formally ask for the full audio of the call between the deputy and the dispatcher who was on the phone with Brown.

Preston Wolf, 17, was verbally accosted and punched by a police officer in Vacaville, California.

On April 21, 2021, Preston Wolf, a teenager with autism, was aggressively approached by a police officer. The officer screamed at him to sit down which he did. The officer then moved toward Wolf, threw his scooter and got in his face. Wolf’s father said Preston became fearful. The officer went to touch Wolf. At this point, Wolf was confused and afraid and moved away from the officer.

After that the officer grabbed Wolf and threw him on the ground. Once on the ground, the officer climbed on top of Wolf and punched him in the face. All of this was witnessed by multiple neighbors and caught on video. In the video you can hear Preston telling the officer to “call his parents.” As the video shows, Preston begged for the officer to stop and his only response was, “Don’t make me hurt you more!”

The parents of the victim are now asking for the officer to be held accountable.

Lindani Myeni, 29, was shot and killed by a Honolulu police officers.

On the night of April 14, 2021, Lindani Myeni was fatally shot by police after entering a home he may have confused for a next-door public temple. The footage shows that he entered the home and then quickly left after his presence confused the occupants. He repeatedly apologized. The woman in the house then called 911.

Myeni left the house and went back to his car. As Honolulu police arrive and head toward the car, the woman pointed at Myeni and told them he was the suspect. Police say Myeni refused to obey officers and didn’t get on the ground, so they used a stun gun. After Myeni allegedly attacked one of the police officers, his colleague fired at Myeni three times. After firing the gunshots, police can then be heard identifying themselves. Myeni was taken to a hospital in critical condition, where he died from injuries a few hours later.

In April 2021, the family of Myeni filed a lawsuit against the officers, claiming the police were racially motivated. South Africans who live in Honolulu took to the streets demanding justice for Myeni.

In July 2021, the use of deadly force by Honolulu police officers in the shooting death of Lindani Myeni was justified, and as a result no charges will be filed, Honolulu Prosecuting Attorney Steve Alm said.