Charleena Lyles
In June 2017, 30-year-old mother-of-four Charleena Lyles was shot and killed by police officers in her apartment in Seattle, Washington.
Lyles reportedly thought someone had broken into her home, so she called the police. The police claim that Lyles threatened officers with a knife when they entered the apartment. They shot her about 7 times. Lyles was pregnant at the time. Several bullets hit her in the fetus. Liles and her unborn child died. Later it turned out that the police officers did not have stun guns on them, though they are obliged to have one.
An inquest into Lyles’ death has been scheduled for June 2022. Police officers and witnesses are expected to testify during the investigation.
MASS MEDIA ABOUT THE CASE:
“I’m also concerned that it’s been five years, are they [police officers and witnesses] going to really remember?” Katrina Johnson, a cousin of Lyles, said. “Even if they do remember, are they going to say they don’t remember?”
Komo News
“Did they shoot her as she fell to the ground? Was she running away?” said Katrina Johnson, Lyles’ cousin, in an interview on Wednesday. “How did she get shot in the back? I still don’t know that and understand that, but any which way, it was excessive force.”
The Guardian
CASE STATUS:
The initiative group has requested the clarification from US President Joseph Biden and Attorney General Merrick Garland. The initiative group believes it is important to fight against police brutality and, if necessary, will provide legal and financial assistance to the family of the victim.
Letter to Biden
Letter to Garland
