COLUMBUS – As the families of two black people shot by Columbus police officers ask for independent investigations into the shootings of Henry Green and Tyre King, the chief of police calls out protesters for skipping one of her community meetings to address the divide between police and residents of some neighborhoods.
Some material in this article provided by WBNS 10-TV
Meanwhile, the president of the Columbus City Council expressed faith in the ability of the police division to police itself.
The families of 13-year-old Tyre King and 23-year-old Henry Green have renewed their requests for independent investigations into the police actions. The black community has protested both shootings.
Chief Kim Jacobs – at one of a series of community forums last night – called attention to the absence of anyone from the group that protested at City Hall Monday – to help resolve the mater
The president of the Columbus, Ohio, city council says he’s confident the city’s police will conduct a thorough investigation of their recent fatal shootings of two black people.
“Witness accounts involving Tyre King and Henry Green’s shootings differ greatly from the narrative that was put forth by the Columbus police department,” Chandra Brown, King’s grandmother, said at a news conference at the Columbus Urban League Tuesday.
Police say Tyre was shot after he ran from an officer and pulled a BB gun that looked like a real firearm. They say Green was shot after he fired on two plainclothes officers.
At one of a series of community discussion forums Tuesday night, police chief Kim Jacobs pointed out that the families and protesters who disrupted a city council meeting Monday were absent, making it more difficult to settle the issue.
“They’re not here for a discussion,” she told the crowd. “And, I believe that that’s how it’s going to happen, not by yelling, not by making a list of demands. It’s going to happen in discussion.”
Democratic Council President Zach Klein says he understands the concerns raised by the community but is confident the police will conduct a thorough investigation of the King and Green shootings.
He says in a statement emailed Tuesday if the U.S. Department of Justice “wishes to get involved in these investigations” the council would welcome its participation.