Yusef Hawkins
Sixteen year old Yusef Hawkins was killed in August of 1989 after visiting the Italian neighborhood of Bensonhurst in Brooklyn to inquire about a vehicle for sale. A mob beat Hawkins and three of his friends, one killing Yusef with two gunshots. The chief assailants, Joe Fama and Keith Mondello, both received prison sentences. Mondello was freed after serving eight years, which was met with protest. Fama is not eligible for parole until 2022.
Ramarley Graham
The clip of 18-year old Ramarley Graham calmly entering his Bronx home in early February with city police chasing him and kicking down doors is chilling. Graham was shot and killed at the hands of 30-year old officer Richard Haste, all while his grandmother and younger brother were home. Attorneys for Graham say the killing was illegal. The case is still under investigation.
Latasha Harlins
Fifteen year-old Latasha Harlins was in a Los Angeles market in March of 1991 buying juice when the Korean owner of the store, Soon Ja Du, accused the teen of stealing juice although she had money in her hand. A scuffle happened which Harlins got the best of Du, who then reached for a gun and shot Harlins in the head. The issue formed the backdrop for Ice Cube’s song “Black Korea.” Du served 5 years’ probation and fines after judges reduced the original 16-year sentence.
William Torbit Jr.
Baltimore City police officer William Torbit Jr. and a civilian were killed by police gunfire in January 2011 outside a nightclub after a fight. Torbit was called to the scene to settle tension between some patrons. Several men began to attack Torbit, who was dressed in plainclothes, and he drew his weapon to fend off the attackers. Baltimore police opened fire on Torbit, shooting him 20 times after firing a reported 42. 22-year old Sean Gamble also died from gunshot wounds.
Pedro Roteta
Although 26-year old Pedro Roteta was killed after he was caught attempting to steal Greyston Garcia’s car radio, the case of Garcia’s chasing and stabbing of Roteta was dismissed by a Florida judge by way of the “Stand Your Ground” law now made infamous because of the Trayvon Martin slaying. Garcia alleged he was attacked, although he was seen on video stabbing Roteta in the back. Roteta was not armed, save for a small pocketknife while Garcia used a much larger weapon in the January incident.
Oscar Grant
Oscar Grant and his New Year’s Day 2009 killing by transit police officer Johannes Mehserle rocked the nation after video of a handcuffed Grant made its rounds in the media. Oakland was flooded with protests and the relatively light sentencing of Mehserle led to several riots in the Bay Area. Mehserle served just one year of jail time after being charged with involuntary manslaughter.
Aiyana Jones
In May 2010, Detroit police were responsible for the killing of 7-year old Aiyana Jones after an officer’s gun went off during a botched raid in an attempt to locate a murder suspect. SWAT Team member Joe “Brain” Weekly was a fixture of a police reality show, which was filming the raid. Weekly was charged with involuntary manslaughter. The reality show’s producer was also slapped with related but lesser charges of obstruction of justice and perjury.
Jimmell Cannon
Thirteen year-old Jimmell Cannon was shot eight times by Chicago police last July, this after officers say the boy was wielding a BB gun. Cannon’s mother disputed the claims, saying that the boy never owned any weapons. Jimmell was attending a party near a park where a shooting happened and police say that the teenager “matched the description.” Chicago police say they did nothing wrong.
Everette Howard
In August 2011, the taser killing of Everette Howard by University of Cincinnati police barely made a blip on the national news. However, the case has conflicting details after reports say authorities were called to the scene to handle an assault call. Officers say Howard charged them with his fists but no other weapon and subdued him with the stun gun, causing him to go into cardiac arrest. This was the second Taser incident for Howard, who suffered from medical conditions.
Stephon Watts
Stephon Watts, who was autistic and 15-years old, was shot and killed last month in the town of Calumet City in Illinois. Officers allege that Watts attacked them with a knife, but the boy’s father say that the only thing his son had in his hand was a butter knife as he tried to pry open a locked cabinet that held his computer. Police have been called to the Watts home several times, which the father was instructed to do by hospital officials. The elder Watts said when police arrived, his boy was already calm. A lawsuit in the case is pending.
