Antwon Rose Police Shooting Sparks Second Night Of Pittsburgh Protests
Hundreds of protesters enraged over an East Pittsburgh police officer’s fatal shooting of an unarmed black teen poured into the streets for the second straight night, demanding justice for 17-year-old Antwon Rose Jr.
A large crowd blocked Interstate Highway 376 in the city, shutting down portions for more than five hours into early Friday. Chanting, “No justice, no peace,” and “Say his name, Antwon Rose Jr.,” protesters blocked the highway in both directions, the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review reported.
The protest, according to tweets by a reporter for Pittsburgh’s WPXI-TV, was “tense,” but “peaceful.“
Police ordered demonstrators to disperse from the highway by 1 a.m. or face arrest. Pittsburgh’s WTAE-TV reported one person was arrested before the highway was reopened to traffic around 2:30 a.m.
Traffic is stopped in both directions on 376 as a group protesting the death of #AntwonRose took to the parkway. The crowd has grown since starting to march from East Pittsburgh around 6pm. pic.twitter.com/iPPsH8GYvQ
— Jamie Martines (@Jamie_Martines) June 22, 2018
Authorities in the Pittsburgh suburb initially released few details about Rose’s shooting, which enraged the community when a bystander’s video was posted to Facebook.
It’s since been learned that the teenager was shot three times in the back as he ran from a vehicle that was stopped by police Tuesday evening. Police said they stopped the car in an investigation into an earlier drive-by shooting.
Authorities confirmed Rose was unarmed, but said two semi-automatic handguns were found inside the vehicle the teen had been in.
S. Lee Merritt, a civil rights attorney representing the Rose family, said he knows of no evidence showing Rose was involved in anything criminal prior to the shooting.
“We must emphasize that rumors of ... a separate shooting are unsubstantiated,” Merritt wrote in a Wednesday statement. “We know that he was not armed at the time he was shot down, that he posed no immediate threat to anyone.“
Traffic was stopped in both directions on 376 as a a group of demonstrators blocked traffic protesting the death of #AntwonRose @TribLIVE pic.twitter.com/ApXSNY1CJd
— Nate Smallwood (@nsmallwoodphoto) June 22, 2018
Rose, a Woodlands High School honor student, died from his injuries at a hospital. The Allegheny County medical examiner has ruled the death a homicide.
City officials have yet to name the officer who shot Rose. WTAE-TV identified him as Officer Michael Rosfeld, and said he declined to discuss the shooting. Rosfeld reportedly was sworn in as an officer just hours earlier.
Police officers in Pennsylvania are permitted to use deadly force against a fleeing suspect only if the suspect possesses a lethal weapon, poses a threat of immediate danger or has threatened lethal violence.
Allegheny County Police Superintendent Coleman McDonough told reporters on Wednesday that the officer involved was not wearing a body camera and his patrol car was not equipped with a dashcam.
East Pittsburgh officials and police released a statement Thursday evening saying they are “profoundly saddened” by Rose’s death.
“This is a very stressful time for our community,” the statement said. “We are seeking truth and answers, but the process takes time. We hope that everyone can respect this process. We will get through this together as a community.“
The shooting also sparked protests on Wednesday. On Thursday, people gathered outside of the East Pittsburgh police station and the Allegheny County Courthouse, chanting “black lives matter” and demanding the arrest of the police officer who shot the teen.
The crowd later marched through the streets and onto the interstate, which was shut down at about 9 p.m.
CBS Pittsburgh reported Rose’s aunt participated in the demonstrations.
“I’m thinking that the cops should be held accountable,” she said. “I’m thinking that Antwon should be here. I’m thinking we should not be having this rally because he should be here, he should not have been killed.“
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Here’s the full text, sent by Woodland Hills assistant superintent Licia Lentz, with the message: “Poem Antwon wrote in 10th grade honors English, his mom, Michelle Kenny wants the world to read this.” pic.twitter.com/2jlQw1O1rI
— Megan Guza (@meganguzaTrib) June 21, 2018
Sen. Bob Casey (D-Pa.) issued a statement on Thursday saying the teen’s family deserves answers.
“I am disturbed by what I saw on the video, and I have numerous questions about exactly what happened and why,” Casey said.
Also Thursday, the Woodlands Hills School District released a poem Rose wrote in 2016 for his 10th-grade English class. According to CBS Pittsburgh, the poem, titled, “I am not what you think,” describes Rose’s fear of violence.
“I see mothers bury their sons,” the poem reads. “I want my mom to never feel that pain.“
Rose’s funeral is scheduled for Monday.
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Related...
Unarmed Teenager Antwon Rose Shot 3 Times In Back While Fleeing Police
Antwon Rose Wrote A Tragic Poem About Police Brutality Before A Cop Killed Him
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Tanisha Anderson: Died Nov. 13, 2014, age 37, Cleveland
The 37-year-old died after her mother called 911 while Anderson was having a "mental health episode," as described in the family's subsequent lawsuit against city police. Officials say that when officers tried to take Anderson to a treatment facility, she struggled and then went limp. Her family says police slammed her to the ground and put a knee in her back. A medical examiner ruled Anderson’s death a homicide, the result of being "physically restrained in a prone position by Cleveland police." Her heart condition and bipolar disorder were also considered factors.
The Cuyahoga County Sheriff's Department began investigating the incident in July at the request of the prosecutor’s office.
In a wrongful death lawsuit, Anderson's family alleges that CPD Officers Scott Aldridge and Bryan Myers did not provide medical attention to Anderson as she lay on the ground unconscious.
Aldridge had previously been suspended for violating the department's use-of-force policies, according to Northeast Ohio Media Group, and was disciplined in 2012 for his role in the deaths of Malissa Williams and Timothy Russell (see slide #6 in this collection). Aldridge and Myers deny that they caused Anderson’s death and have asked for the case to be dismissed.
The month after Anderson was killed, an investigation by the U.S. Department of Justice concluded that Cleveland police have a pattern of using excessive force, including against people who are mentally ill, and that they don’t use appropriate techniques to account for mental illness.
Mauvion Green, Anderson’s daughter, told Northeast Ohio Media Group last year that she wants to work for conscientious treatment of people with mental illnesses. "I'm fighting for my mother, but I'm fighting for everyone else, too," Green said.
Yvette Smith: Died Feb. 16, 2014, age 47, Bastrop, Texas
Willis was fired, and his record came under scrutiny. An evaluation from a past employer said that he needed “more development in handling explosive situations" and "utilization of common sense."
Following a grand jury indictment for murder, Willis was tried in September. A mistrial was declared when the jury deadlocked 8-4 in favor of finding Willis guilty. The prosecutor on the case told KXAN the prosecution would retry the case and wouldn’t consider a lesser charge.
Smith’s family filed a wrongful death lawsuit in 2014.
"A part of me is gone, you know, and I wish I could have that back, but I can't," Yvonne Williams, Smith’s twin sister, told KVUE last year. "I just want justice for her."
Miriam Carey: Died Oct. 3, 2013, age 34, Washington, D.C.
![U.S. Secret Service and Capitol Police officers fatally shot Miriam Carey in a car chase after she drove her car into a security checkpoint near the White House despite orders to stop. Officers fired multiple shots at Carey, a dental hygienist from Connecticut, <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/04/08/miriam-carey-autopsy-dc-chase_n_5109397.html" target="_blank">hitting her five times</a>. Her 1-year-old daughter, who was also in the car, survived.<br /><br />An autopsy found that Carey was not under the influence of drugs or alcohol, her family's attorney said, and no weapons were found in her car. She had previously been diagnosed with <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/04/08/miriam-carey-autopsy-dc-chase_n_5109397.html" target="_blank">postpartum depression and psychosis</a>.<br /><br />Federal prosecutors said in 2014 that they <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/07/10/miriam-carey-shooting-investigation_n_5575043.html" target="_blank">would not file charges</a> against the officers. Carey’s family filed a wrongful death lawsuit.<br /><br />“<a href="http://www.washingtonpost.com/sf/style/2014/11/26/how-miriam-careys-u-turn-at-a-white-house-checkpoint-led-to-her-death" target="_blank">The emphasis shouldn’t be on why [Miriam was in Washington, D.C.]</a>," sister Valarie Carey told The Washington Post last year. "The emphasis should be [on] what those officers did. Were their actions proper?”](https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/KObuIBnKquAX1LMkXLXDZg--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTk2MA--/https://img.huffingtonpost.com/asset/567a397a160000b300eb97db.jpg)
An autopsy found that Carey was not under the influence of drugs or alcohol, her family's attorney said, and no weapons were found in her car. She had previously been diagnosed with postpartum depression and psychosis.
Federal prosecutors said in 2014 that they would not file charges against the officers. Carey’s family filed a wrongful death lawsuit.
“The emphasis shouldn’t be on why [Miriam was in Washington, D.C.]," sister Valarie Carey told The Washington Post last year. "The emphasis should be [on] what those officers did. Were their actions proper?”
Shelly Frey: Died Dec. 6, 2012, age 27, Houston
Campbell reportedly told investigators that he opened fire after the driver of the car tried to run him over. Two other women and two children were in the car with Frey. When paramedics arrived, they were unable to revive her.
Frey had previously pleaded guilty to stealing shirts and meat from Walmart, according to Houston's KHOU, and was prohibited from entering the store.
Her family sued Walmart for wrongful death. Campbell has not faced any charges.
Malissa Williams: Died Nov. 29, 2012, age 30, Cleveland
Williams and Russell, who both had criminal records, were unarmed.
Six officers were indicted in the car chase. Officer Michael Brelo was charged with manslaughter, and five supervisors were charged with dereliction of duty. Brelo -- who allegedly fired 49 shots at the vehicle, 15 of them from atop the hood of the car itself -- was tried earlier this year and found not guilty on all charges, including two counts of voluntary manslaughter, attempted voluntary manslaughter and felonious assault.
"They did not deserve to die for fleeing and eluding," Michelle Russell, Timothy's sister, told Northeast Ohio Media Group.
Five police supervisors are awaiting trial on charges of dereliction of duty. The city settled a wrongful death lawsuit with the victims' families for $3 million in 2014.
"This shooting is one of the worst examples of police misconduct in American history,'' attorneys for Williams' and Russell's families said at the time. "This settlement sends the clearest signal yet that real reform must be achieved inside the Cleveland Police Department."
Shantel Davis: Died June 14, 2012, age 23, New York City
![Shantel Davis was fatally shot while driving a car that police claim was stolen. Plainclothes NYPD officers approached her after she allegedly ran multiple red lights and the vehicle crashed. Police say that Davis tried to escape, and that Phil Atkins, a narcotics officer, <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2012/06/15/nyregion/woman-shot-by-police-in-brooklyn-after-car-crash.html" target="_blank">allegedly tried to shift her car into park as it was moving</a>. His gun fired once, striking Davis in the chest.<br /><br />Davis' family and <a href="https://socialistworker.org/2012/06/21/nypd-kills-again" target="_blank">several groups</a> advocating for <a href="http://www.justicecommittee.org/#!Shantel%20Davis%20killed%20by%20NYPD%206/2012/zoom/ckbg/i21v7r" target="_blank">police reform</a> have disputed the NYPD's version of events, saying it's not clear whether the car was stolen and, if it was, whether Davis was aware of that. They also claim Davis was trapped behind her airbag when she was shot, not trying to flee the vehicle.<br /><br />Davis had been arrested eight times previously, but she was never convicted of any crimes. She was due in court the day after her death for kidnapping and attempted murder charges, according to The New York Times. She was unarmed when she was shot.<br /><br />Atkins had been <a href="http://www.dnainfo.com/new-york/20120615/east-flatbush/cop-who-killed-shantel-davis-accused-of-past-aggressive-behavior" target="_blank">sued seven times over the previous decade</a> for various allegations, including undue use of force, according to DNAinfo.<br /><br />"It’s been almost four years since Shantel’s murder and I still have no answers," Natasha Duncan, Davis' sister, told The Huffington Post in May 2016. "This whole time my family has heard nothing about either the criminal or departmental investigation. My sister’s case has been sitting on District Attorney [Ken] Thompson’s desk since he took office. He ran on a promise of being tough on police brutality, but he’s done absolutely nothing to move my sister’s case forward."<br /><br />Thompson's office says an investigation into Davis' case is underway and her family should receive the findings soon.<br /><br />“We are conducting a fair and thorough review of this case to ensure that all investigative avenues and evidence has been explored," a spokeswoman for Thompson's office told HuffPost. "We expect the investigation to be concluded soon and will inform the family of our findings at that time."<br /><br /><i>This article has been updated to reflect statements from Davis' sister, Thompson's office and a representative of Davis' family, and to clarify that the NYPD's version of events is disputed.</i>](https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/A.A3hd8xXqqYL_Rkc.IjrA--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTk2MA--/https://img.huffingtonpost.com/asset/567a3979190000190178a905.jpg)
Davis' family and several groups advocating for police reform have disputed the NYPD's version of events, saying it's not clear whether the car was stolen and, if it was, whether Davis was aware of that. They also claim Davis was trapped behind her airbag when she was shot, not trying to flee the vehicle.
Davis had been arrested eight times previously, but she was never convicted of any crimes. She was due in court the day after her death for kidnapping and attempted murder charges, according to The New York Times. She was unarmed when she was shot.
Atkins had been sued seven times over the previous decade for various allegations, including undue use of force, according to DNAinfo.
"It’s been almost four years since Shantel’s murder and I still have no answers," Natasha Duncan, Davis' sister, told The Huffington Post in May 2016. "This whole time my family has heard nothing about either the criminal or departmental investigation. My sister’s case has been sitting on District Attorney [Ken] Thompson’s desk since he took office. He ran on a promise of being tough on police brutality, but he’s done absolutely nothing to move my sister’s case forward."
Thompson's office says an investigation into Davis' case is underway and her family should receive the findings soon.
“We are conducting a fair and thorough review of this case to ensure that all investigative avenues and evidence has been explored," a spokeswoman for Thompson's office told HuffPost. "We expect the investigation to be concluded soon and will inform the family of our findings at that time."
This article has been updated to reflect statements from Davis' sister, Thompson's office and a representative of Davis' family, and to clarify that the NYPD's version of events is disputed.
Rekia Boyd: Died March 22, 2012, age 22, Chicago
Servin was driving near his home late at night when he saw a group of four people walking. He had a brief conversation with them from his car, then turned the wrong way down a one-way street. According to the Chicago Tribune, he said he then looked over his shoulder and thought he saw a man from the group pull a gun from his pants and point it at him.
Servin fired five rounds over his left shoulder through his car window, striking the man in the hand and Boyd in the back of the head. The man whom Servin believed to have a gun was actually holding a cell phone.
Boyd was taken to a hospital and died the next day.
In 2013, Servin was indicted on charges of involuntary manslaughter, reckless discharge of a firearm and reckless conduct. His trial began in April 2015, but was quickly dismissed by the judge.
In November, the police department began the process of firing Servin, which requires a hearing before the Chicago Police Board. As of December, the board has not yet reached a decision.
The city awarded Boyd’s family $4.5 million as part of a wrongful death settlement.
“My mother holds a lot inside but she’s hurting, especially when she hears about police violence," Martinez Sutton, Boyd’s brother, told The Chicago Citizen newspaper.
Shereese Francis: Died March 15, 2012, age 29, New York City
When NYPD officers arrived, the family’s wrongful death lawsuit alleges, Francis did not realize they were police, due to her mental illness. When Francis, who was unarmed, tried to leave the room against police orders, they allegedly pursued her, grabbed her and “tackled” her on a bed. The suit claims four officers put their weight onto Francis’ back while trying to cuff her, and her sister believes she saw them hitting and using a Taser on Francis until she stopped moving.
Francis was pronounced dead at a hospital shortly after the incident. Her cause of death was "compression of trunk during agitated violent behavior (schizophrenia) while prone on bed and attempted restraint by police officers,” according to The Village Voice.
The lawsuit said the officers overwhelmingly violated NYPD policies on mental illness, in part because the department had failed to provide training on the subject.
The city settled with Francis’ family for $1.1 million.
Aiyana Stanley-Jones: Died May 16, 2010, age 7, Detroit
Police said the raid was in search of a murder suspect who lived in the second-floor unit of the home.
Weekley was charged with involuntary manslaughter and careless discharge of a firearm causing death, but his case was dismissed after two mistrials. He returned to duty as a Detroit police officer in April.
Tarika Wilson: Died Jan. 4, 2008, age 26, Lima, Ohio
Chavalia was acquitted of the misdemeanor charges of negligent homicide and negligent assault. He testified that he felt his life was in danger when he shot Wilson, thinking he'd seen a shadow and heard gunshots nearby. The shots had actually come from officers downstairs, according to the Associated Press.
The city settled a wrongful death suit with Wilson’s family for $2.5 million in 2011.
Alberta Spruill: Died May 16, 2003, age 57, New York City
The city of New York agreed to pay a $1.6 million settlement to Spruill’s family.
“This case for them is not about money. It’s about changing procedure,” Johnnie Cochran, the lawyer for Spruill’s sisters, said in 2003. “It’s about the fact that their sister should not have died in vain.”
Kendra James: Died May 5, 2003, age 21, Portland, Oregon
![Portland police Officer Scott McCollister fatally shot Kendra James during a traffic stop. When McCollister pulled over the car in which James was a passenger, he took the driver, Terry Jackson, into custody after seeing he had an outstanding warrant. James moved behind the wheel of the car and tried to drive away, and McCollister tried to stop her by climbing partway into the car and <a href="http://www.portlandoregon.gov/police/article/33708" target="_blank">pulling her hair and using pepper spray and a Taser</a>. James put the car into drive and McCollister shot her. He later claimed he'd gotten stuck in the car's doorway and that he'd feared for his life.<br /><br />A grand jury declined to prosecute. McCollister was <a href="http://www.oregonlive.com/portland/index.ssf/2013/04/memorial_planned_to_mark_10-ye.html" target="_blank">initially suspended</a>, but the disciplinary action was overturned by an arbitrator.<br /><br />“It’s been 10 years later, justice has still not [been] served,” James’ mother, Shirley Isadore, <a href="http://koin.com/2013/05/05/kendra-james-remembered-at-portland-rally/" target="_blank">said at a 2013 rally</a> marking the anniversary of her daughter’s death.](https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/DudFmBhhBhiYk06E.J2DFg--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTk2MA--/https://img.huffingtonpost.com/asset/567a3979160000b300eb97da.jpg)
A grand jury declined to prosecute. McCollister was initially suspended, but the disciplinary action was overturned by an arbitrator.
“It’s been 10 years later, justice has still not [been] served,” James’ mother, Shirley Isadore, said at a 2013 rally marking the anniversary of her daughter’s death.
This article originally appeared on HuffPost.
