The streets of Brooklyn have been a hotbed for police/civilian confrontations this past week, with the shooting death of 16 year old Kimani “KiKi” Gray by two plainclothes NYPD officers in East Flatbush, this past Saturday.
Thousands of protesters have taken their anger to the streets every night this week, which has resulted in injuries, property damage, and dozens of arrests. Peaceful vigils/protest marches, starting at Tilden Avenue and E. 52nd Street and ending at the 67th Precinct, have been taking place since the shooting on Saturday night, but these events have sparked violent outbursts from community members who are all too familiar with the unsavory relationship between the police and the people.
According to police reports, Sgt. Mourad Mourad and Officer Jovaniel Cordova spotted Gray standing with five other young males in front of a home at E. 52nd St., near Tilden Ave. As the officers approached in the unmarked police vehicle, Gray separated from the group and adjusted his waistband in a manner the officers deemed suspicious. From this point, several accounts have been given by eyewitness civilians as well as from the department, however, with questions still pending as to whether or not Gray was armed, there has been an aggressive push by the community to get an in depth investigation into the shooting that cost the teenager his life.
The NYPD has made statements to imply the justification of the shooting, including the fact that a .38 revolver was found at the scene. The medical examiner’s report, however, shows that Gray was shot three times in the back, supporting the claims of some eyewitnesses that Kimani begged to officers not to kill him.
As tensions continue to mount, Brooklynites and police brutality advocates take to the streets of Flatbush seeking justice for another young Black male slain by NYPD. Police presence has been stepped up in East Flatbush and surrounding neighborhoods amidst the tension that can be felt throughout the entire borough. As hundreds of youth continue to pour into the streets and police attempt to curb their activity, it’s almost certain that more will develop from this story.
-Sha Be Allah(@KingPenStatus)
