Photo: Go Fund Me
A civil rights investigation has been announced into the police shooting ofBlack Washington D.C. teenager Dalaneo Martin.
It comes a day after body-worn police camera footage of the deadly incident was released to the public.
A statement from theU.S. Attorney’s Officeon Wednesday said a civil rights investigation had begun. “The loss of a life is always tragic but is especially heartbreaking when it involves a child. On Saturday, March 18th, 17-year-old Dalaneo Martin tragically died after a shooting involving the U.S. Park Police, and we recognize that the body-worn camera footage just released of his death is extremely upsetting,” the statement said.
Dalaneo Martin shooting.The United States Park Police
“In coordination with the FBI Washington Field Office, the United States Attorney’s Office has opened a civil rights investigation into the circumstances leading to Mr. Martin’s death. That investigation — which we are committed to conducting diligently and thoroughly — is ongoing,” the statement added.
Martin’s mother, Terra Martin, told a press conference Wednesday that she wanted the name of the officer who shot her son released to the public,WTOPreported. “I need the officer arrested immediately for murder — first-degree murder,” she told reporters gathered at her attorney’s office.
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Martin, who was the father of a seven-month-old boy, was allegedly shot six times, his mother told reporters.
On Tuesday, the USPP released multiple body-worn camera videos from the incident which show officers as they located the SUV with Martin asleep in the driver’s seat. Washington’s Metropolitan Police Department initially responded to the suspicious vehicle, and Park Police then assisted after discovering it was stolen,a statement from USPP said.
In the video police officers can be heard strategizing on how to approach the situation, with one officer saying “please, don’t get caught inside… Don’t get inside that car.”
The footage then shows an officer climbing through an open rear passenger door of the vehicle, after which someone yells “Police, Don’t move.”
Martin is later seen on the ground outside the SUV, with officers performing CPR. Tragically, he was pronounced dead at the scene.
A USPP statement said the video release “is intended to help members of the community gain a better understanding of what occurred.” A 12:03 minute edited video shows sections of the incident mixed with text explaining police actions. Unedited videos taken from body cameras of the two officers involved were also shared.
AGoFundMehas been set up to cover funeral costs and the ongoing support of Martin’s child.
“Dalaneo was an excellent father to his seven-month-old son and leaves behind his mother, father, siblings and other family and friends who are now mourning his loss,” the GoFundMe description says.
source: people.com
