№00166

Mark Bender

Mark Matthew Bender Jr., 35, was shot and killed by a San Bernardino police officer.

In October 2020 police were responding a call about a man with a gun jumping on top of cars. When police arrived an officer pointed gun at Bender and ordered him to show his hands.

Bender put up his empty hands, and the officer reholstered his gun. However, a few seconds later, he threw Bender to the ground and tried to detain him. Bender resisted and the officer shot him. According to the police, he tried to pull the gun out.

In March 2021 Bender’s family filed a claim against the city in a legally required precursor to a lawsuit. The family’s attorney said Bender was trying to get rid of the gun to show that he was not a threat.

СМИ

MASS MEDIA ABOUT THE CASE:

“This is not fair, not fair at all. The officer he should have used a Taser. He did not have to shoot my son in his back,” Bender’s mother said.

NBC

“The San Bernardino Police Department needs to be held accountable,” said Bender’s father, Mark Matthew Bender Sr.

The Sun

FILES

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.