An 11-year-old trying to save her mother from domestic violence… US police shot another victim

A US police officer shot and killed a black teenage boy after reporting domestic violence.

According to the Washington Post (WP) on the 25th (local time), the incident occurred at a family home in Indianola, Mississippi, on the morning of the 20th. Adrian Murray, an 11-year-old black boy, received his mother’s cell phone and called 911 after his half-brother’s father suddenly arrived and threatened his mother in a fit of rage. It was to protect his mother from domestic discord, but Adrian was attacked by the police who responded unexpectedly.

Police officer Greg Capers arrived at the scene around 4:00 a.m. Then Adrian’s mother shouted, “Everyone in the house is unarmed.” But Greg yelled and ordered everyone to come out with their hands up. In response, the family members slowly headed out with their hands above their heads, and Adrian did the same.

Greg’s incomprehensible behavior came out at this time. Suddenly, he shot Adrian in the chest. Adrian’s mother said, “My son said, ‘Why did you shoot me? What have I done,’ she says, and she cries,” she said. As a result, Adrian suffered lung damage, fractured ribs and a lacerated liver. He was also discharged the day before with his ventilator and chest tube on.

Adrian’s family and community are voicing their demands for Gregg’s removal. The Indianola City Council has placed Gregg on paid administrative leave while authorities investigate the case. It remains unclear whether additional disciplinary action, such as his dismissal, will be taken. An official statement from Greg and the police has yet to be released. However, the Indianola police chief told local media that it was a “tragic event for both parties.”

In the United States, there has been a case of police shooting by mistake and causing tragedy before. In April, in New Mexico, police who responded to a report of domestic violence went to the wrong house and shot the wrong person. Previously, in September 2021, a man in New Jersey who reported that there was an intruder in the backyard of his home was shot dead by the police.

The WP reported that 1,079 people were killed by police in the United States in the past year. There have been 407 victims this year. The WP explained, “Although half of the victims were white, considering that the black population is only 14% of the total US population, the death rate of blacks is twice that of whites.”