The family of a young black American shot dead by the police while he was in bed will file a complaint, his lawyer told AFP on Friday, a case that arouses anger in Ohio. Donovan Lewis, 20, died at dawn on Tuesday in Columbus, the capital of this northeastern American state.
A video from the body camera of one of the officers, who had an arrest warrant, shows a policeman accompanied by a dog opening the door of a room then almost immediately shooting at the young man who was in a bed and was unarmed.
An investigation has been opened and Columbus Mayor Andrew Ginther has promised “full transparency” on the “tragic death of Donovan Lewis”. “The family will file a complaint,” said the services of his lawyer, Rex Elliott, without further details. Mr. Elliott had denounced in a press release “an excessive and absolutely unnecessary use of force”.
“Cold in Cold Blood”
The family of a young black American shot dead by the police while he was in bed will file a complaint, his lawyer told AFP on Friday, a case that arouses anger in Ohio. Donovan Lewis, 20, died at dawn on Tuesday in Columbus, the capital of this northeastern American state.
Contacted by AFP, the Columbus police could not be reached immediately. Its boss, Elaine Bryant, quoted by media, claimed that the officer fired when Donovan Lewis appeared to raise his arm and hold something in his hand. Only an electronic cigarette was found near him, she said.
Meetings scheduled for this weekend
Rallies are planned this weekend in Columbus to “support the family”, “open a discussion on police brutality” and “demand justice for Donovan Lewis”, Ramon Obey II, of the JUST organization, told AFP. , who advocates for social justice.
Students gathered on the Ohio State University campus on Friday, chanting “Say his name: Donovan Lewis,” according to photos and videos posted to Twitter.
The event recalls other deaths of black people during interactions with the police, tragedies that sparked a great movement against racism and police brutality in 2020.