June 23rd 2024.
Kilyn Lewis was a beloved Black man who tragically lost his life at the hands of a SWAT officer. His family is devastated by his death and is now calling for justice in the form of a murder trial for the officer responsible. This plea comes after recently released body cam footage shed more light on the events that took place on May 23rd.
The fateful day began with police arriving at a condo parking lot in the Denver suburb of Aurora to arrest Kilyn. He had an outstanding warrant for his alleged involvement in a shooting that occurred a few weeks prior, which left a man injured. As the officers confronted him, the situation quickly escalated and ended with Kilyn being fatally shot while holding a cellphone.
The footage, made public by interim Police Chief Heather Morris, showed the officers shouting at Kilyn to get on the ground. But in a matter of seconds, the situation turned deadly as one of the officers fired at Kilyn while he was in the process of bending his knees. The heartbreaking video also captured Kilyn's desperate cries of "I don't have nothing" as he was gunned down.
Kilyn's family is rightfully seeking justice for their loved one, as his mother LaRhonda Jones spoke out about the ongoing issue of police brutality in their community. She referenced the tragic death of Elijah McClain, another Black man who died while in police custody in 2019. The officer involved in that incident, along with two paramedics, have since been convicted. Elijah's death sparked nationwide protests in support of the Black Lives Matter movement.
During a press conference, LaRhonda called upon Denver's local prosecutor and Colorado's state attorney general to charge the officer responsible for Kilyn's death and take the case to trial. Their family lawyer, Edward Hopkins Jr., also shared his thoughts on the matter, stating that Kilyn likely felt ambushed by the police's approach, which he likened to gang tactics. He also pointed out that the released footage appeared to paint the officers in a more favorable light, possibly skewing the true events of that day.
Despite the public outcry and calls for transparency, the officer's identity remains unknown as the investigation into the incident continues. The Aurora police have also refused to comment on the matter. The tragic loss of Kilyn Lewis serves as yet another reminder of the broken system that devalues Black lives. It's time for accountability and change, not just for Kilyn and his family, but for all those who have been victims of police brutality.
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