Deneice Franklin, the cousin of Shapell Terrell, called me on Tuesday. Terrell was the 39-year-old man who was shot and killed by police in the 8500 block of South Oglesby at about 1:00 a.m. on Sunday, June 22.
Franklin wanted to set the record straight about Terrell's criminal background, which she says the police deliberately distorted in an effort to protect the police officers' action. She also shared her family's version of what happened the night Terrell was killed by police.
Please note that a spokesman with the Chicago Police Department declined to comment.
Still, I think it is important to discuss Franklin's accusations. Hopefully, witnesses of the shooting will contact the Independent Police Review Authority so that this matter can be resolved as quickly as possible.
Here's what Franklin told me.
About Terrell's criminal background:
"He was not in a gang. For starters, my family grew up on the West Side. My cousin was 39-years-old. He had seven children and he was married for 13 years. He was in the garbage industry. The police are talking about he was a felon; my cousin got in trouble when he was 18 or 19 years old. He stole a car and that was supposed to be off his record. The aggravated assault was against a man who was assaulting his wife. Before they try to diminish his character, they should look at the circumstances behind his arrests.
"They are trying to portray him as a lunatic. When he opened the door, nobody said police. There were no words between my cousin and police. No words."
Where it happened:
The shooting occurred outside of an apartment building in the 8500 block of South Oglesby. The building is owned by Terrell's grandmother. Terrell was apparently estranged from his wife of 13 years, and had been living in the building for about a month with his two young daughters.
"The night of the shooting:
According to Franklin, Terrell was not loitering in front of the building, but had actually gone outside to round up his daughters who had been playing across the street at a neighbor's barbecue.
"It was about 12:30 and I was going home. I told Pell (Terrell's nickname) that his kids were still outside," Franklin said. "He said: 'Not my kids' and went outside to get them. By that time I was driving off.
"I heard the bang, bang, bang, but it didn't really register with me. When I got home, about 15 minutes later, my grandmother called and told me I had to come back," she said.
"The whole area was locked down. I saw the ambulances pull up. There were a lot of squad cars, maybe 200 police officers. The area was roped off and nobody could come in and nobody came out. I called Channel 7 on my cell phone and they sent somebody out," Franklin said.
After the shooting:
"The police officers were so rude. They were laughing like it was a joke. When his wife finally came from Hammond, she couldn't get any answers. They wouldn't let her on the other side of the rope.
"Then maybe four or five hours later, an investigator came and told us that the victim is deceased and two guns were recovered at the scene.
About the guns:
"The two guns the police said Terrell had didn't have any blood on them, and had never been fired. There was no gunshot residue."
[Police spokesman claims Terrell brandished the guns and had a gun in each hand when he ran from he police officers.]
"Not only did they shoot him, but they kept shooting him," Franklin said.
According to Franklin, about 28 bullets were fired and Terrell was struck 15 times.
"The front of my grandmother's apartment is riddled with bullet holes. We have owned that building for years. My mother was raised in that building, my brother and my cousins. We've been there over 45 years and there has never been an incident like this.
"At first, none of this registered. We were told by the investigators, that we couldn't talk to anyone and not to worry, we will get this resolved," Franklin said.
"The Fire Department came and we were waiting. The ambulances left and hours later, this [police] wagon comes. They put my cousin in a body bag. They took large blankets and put them under their foot and tried to get the blood up. It was smudged all around. They put the blankets and I think a shirt in a biohazardous bag and threw it in a dumpster not 50 feet from where it happened.
"My aunt asked him: 'Where are you taking that?' He told her: 'I'm not taking it home if that is what you are asking.'"
Police presence in the neighborhood:
"For the last month, police have been heavy on the South Side. The police drive by and will shine a light in your face. They stop you for no reason at all, run your ID and see if you have warrants," Franklin said.
"There was a shooting on 83rd and Colfax and people fighting on 83rd and Crandon, and there are always kids out playing on Oglesby, but from 87th to 85th from Oglesby to Yates and those surrounding areas, there hasn't been a lot of shooting. The stuff that I am hearing--the woman who got killed, the guy who got shot, and the store that got robbed happened further East."
Franklin described the apartment building as a brick building with an "old wooden door. The door has glass and there is another door that opens to the apartments.
The bullets:
"There are bullet holes all at the bottom of the door, bullet holes on the right side of the door, bullet holes on the bottom where the wood is, there are one or two bullets in the middle of the door, and more bullet holes outside the door.
"He had over 15 bullet holes. He got shot in the back of his legs, two or three times in his butt, he got shot in the middle if his spine near his shoulder blades. He got shot in the face. That is more consistent with him running away, but the police is saying they had to use deadly force.
Terrell's last night:
"He worked in the garbage industry and had to be at work at 3:00 AM. He was at the barbecue hanging out earlier with his two little girls. They are 5 and 4 years old. They had been running back and forth to the barbecue all day. He was dressed for work. He had on his work pants and shirt."
The morgue:
"After they took him to the morgue, his wife and his family went there. We had to bring ourselves to do it. When they went to pick up his body, the received his belongings bag. It had $2.75 in miscellaneous coins, no wallet, no money and he had just got paid that Friday. No nothing, not even his cell phone, just a cell phone battery. His wedding ring was gone."
The aftermath:
"This is unfair to me and my family. There was globs and globs of coagulated blood left. They left folded up gloves, pieces of paper over the grass, projectiles in the door. The police came back looking for the bag the Fire Department threw in the dumpster, but we would not let them take the dumpster because it was our dumpster that we put there because my grandmother was having some remodeling done.
"Yesterday we were doing candles in front of the door, and we were all outside talking about the funeral arrangements. A little boy was outside pretending to shoot at my little cousin: bang, bang, bang. Then she falls down on the floor and gets up like it is a game.
Mary Mitchell is a columnist for the 
Mary,
This is a very sad and unfortunate incident. I am sure it was painful even for you to listen as the young woman provided the details of this event that resulted in her loved one's death. We are growing more callous to the preciousness of life as a society. A son gone forever, a brother and a father murdered in front of neighbors and relatives. What we need is love and prayer. Those who believe in these two institutions can make a different. My heart goes out to the families involved.
All i can say is...If you dont want to be shot by the police....Dont point two guns at the police.
Mary, I'm glad the victims side of this story got told, thanks. However, Min Farrakhan warned us that these types of Police actions were coming as a result of all the Black on Black violence going on. This violence serves as an excuse for the Police to invade Black communities with a shoot-then-ask questions later mentality. Law abiding Black people are caught in a catch 22/lose-lose situation; thugs sell dope and run wild terrorizing whole neighborhoods killing each other and anybody in the wrong place at the wrong time (their own home), if and when we try to do something to stop it we become the gangs' targets and no Police protection is provided. When the situation can no longer be ignored and media bring it to mainstream attention then the Police "surge" on these areas and make no distinction between criminals and law abiding citizens, and again no protection is provided. damned if you do, damned if you don't. between a rock and a harder place. Mary, I think you need to bring it to Black peoples attention that the criminals, dope dealers and thugs who happen to be Black and do their victimizing in Black communities are truly the worst enemy of Black communities. Not only do they drag us down as a people, they've invited those who would benefit the most from our demise into our homes.
He stole a car and that was supposed to be off his record. The aggravated assault was against a man who was assaulting his wife.
No One Forced him to steal the car. Nice Lop sided reporting once again.
He stole a car and that was supposed to be off his record. The aggravated assault was against a man who was assaulting his wife.
No One Forced him to steal the car. Nice Lop sided reporting once again.
My heart goes out to this family, I know this is a very trying time for everyone. I agree that it was distasteful and rude for the police to be outside laughing and joking as if nothing happened. It was definitely inappropriate. I also feel that it was very inappropriate for the city employee (fire department, police, CSI teams) to respond to questions with sarcastic remarks. There is something that does not ring true about the police version of the incident, and I do encourage all witnesses to come forward and share their stories with the IPRA. I glad that the family had to opprotunity to tell their version of the details surrounding Mr. Terrell's unfortunate death.
Does he always bring guns to get his daughters in the house? Nobody ever commented on why he would even have a gun, yet alone two guns.
This is another example of how blatantly corrupt the Chicago Police is, the sad thing about it is that they get to get away with the same bull---- everytime. We always get the story about someone pointing a gun at them and they're left with no other choice but to shoot. I think that the Chicago Police needs to take another look at how they train their trigger-happy ass Officers.
to the theloneous blog, you most be a cop to send a crap line like that or you must have that racist diease,but it's ok.... you can't help it.
People please don't be mad at us,we really try and protect you and we do respond to your calls as fast as we can. There are only 7,000 policeman in Chicago now,there are supposed to be 13,500 but the Mayor won't hire anymore because he is spending all the money on the 2016 Olympic bid.
Are hands are tied now due to the actions of a few bad apples that have tarnished our image,the wild lititgation that the city pays out on,even when they know it is complete BS and they keep suspending and firing innocent officers that are hard honest working policemen on trumped up charges.
Morale is at an all time low on the Chicago Police Department and everytime we confront an armed offender trying to kill us and win we are tarred and feathered in the media.
If they gave us a decent contract and stopped indiscriminately firing officers for political expediency,quit playing the clout game with unit assignments and promotions and hired a few thousand more officers things would be much better for the citizens of Chicago. The way it is going now it is only going to get worse. I do my job but that is all,I can not take a chance of being sued,stripped,suspended,fired or criminally prosecuted for doing my job or being too aggressive. I have a family to feed and need my job,I know this sounds horrible but it is the truth. The days of the hardcore Chicago Police are over,the criminals are running the streets now,this is the truth,ask an officer how bad things are on the CPD.
I am happy that the Supreme Court upheld the 2nd Amendment,I believe that citizens have the right to defend themselves and their property and I know that the police can not be everywhere.
Please support the Chicago Police,defend us against media abuse and demand that the Mayor give us a fair contract,stop arbitarily firing us for doing our jobs and the he hires several thousand more of us to replenish the ranks.
Thank You Chicago Citizens!!!
grimes:
Not a cop, not a racist, not diseased. I base my opinion on life experiences.
I am sorry for the familiy's loss, but I have a few issues with this story:
1. 12:30 AM, 4 & 5 years old left outside playing at a
barbecue, and the father is not watching the kid? Even
at mid-day, I am not more than 5 feet from my 4 year old;
at almost one in the morning, the kids are not in his sight,
playing outside? Mary, why did you not delve further into
this?
2. People coming forward - why is it, when police shoot someone
there are 100's of witnesses to the incident, yet
when a gang-banger shoots innocent people in the middle of
a crowd, no one sees anything? This victim mentality
is a problem.
This story is suspect
One less thug to worry about, another father of the year murdered, yeah right, who let's there 4 and 5 year old girls out at 1230 at night, Listen people, do you think we (the police) want to patrol your neighborhood where we get treated like crap and have the chance of getting shot at? Absolutely not, we get sent there b/c you people can't behave yourself. I live in a nice neighborhood where unfortunately I never see the police, given the option I would patrol my own block. But instead we're forced to patrol the neighborhoods of the non-tax payers (and the booze and cigerette tax don't count)
This is typical of police shootings. I have no doubt this guy didn't point two guns at the cops. That's a lame excuse. He may have had a gun on him when he was going across the street to get his kids but there's nothing wrong with that. His record has NOTHING to do with anything. We from the hood all have records because it's designed to take away your credibility and assure lack of job opportunities. I hope this family can RIP because the cops will get away with this. You can count on it.
This is typical of police shootings. I have no doubt this guy didn't point two guns at the cops. That's a lame excuse. He may have had a gun on him when he was going across the street to get his kids but there's nothing wrong with that. His record has NOTHING to do with anything. We from the hood all have records because it's designed to take away your credibility and assure lack of job opportunities. I hope this family can RIP because the cops will get away with this. You can count on it.
The Police are trigger happy? I am willing to play a game of Police with any black/white citizen, minister, lawyer, or a member of the media. The location of the game will be located in one of the city's worse neighborhood.The game will begin around 2 a.m. and I know its a game but we will be using real guns with real bullets. I will be playing a man with a gun and you will be playing a Police Officer responding to a call of shots fired. This is how the game will play out, you arrive on scene and see me with a gun. Your gun is holstered and now you have to make a split second decision for your life. Now here is the best part (I know its suppose to be a game) but I may or may not decide to shoot at you, are you willing to risk your life and wait and see if I will or wont shoot? Trigger happy I think not, self preservation I think is a better word. See whether in a fight, riot, or shoot out situation we expect to come out on top our families also depend on us to come home. Still want to play?
Thank you Mary for the follow up, and for you support in the matter.
To the people that made comments both good and bad. Thank You.
Let me also clearly restate THERE ARE WITNESSES.And they have come forth.They have been both in the news and in the paper.They are both adults and children.The details are so gross.
Maybe you have never been in my area, the exact location of this incident. (2337 E. 85th Street.)Stop by I challenge you. See the children playing, and the senior citizens. Circle the block, there are no guys standing on the corner,no loud music playing, no garbage pile up in the front yard. This took place on a weekend, where it was likely in the 80's with a dozen or so other people outside. So, his young children were outside not unsupervised,but by the other witness to this tragic crime.That does not justify the police actions.
I dont blame all police, there are some CPD that do there job honestly.Every time a police officer kills some one they have Guns. Every black male does not walk around with there pants hanging off the butts, smoking weed, planning shoot outs with CPD while their children are steps away. These mystery guns, we to have questioned. And, the response has changed more times than i have fingers on one hand. Picture this, the whole crime scene riddled with bullets and blood, there would have been blood in places in the hallway he wasn't even standing. And the magic guns, clean as a whistle.Just magically appear on the crime scene not on him. Then,the door have to be pulled to get into the hallway. Cannot open the door with guns in both hands.(Let alone with the size of these guns)its not possible.How is it that he managed to ONLY be shot from behind and there only be bullet holes in the hallway.Not the building, not the cars, nothing or no one else. If he was not already in the hallway. Not running, as previously stated. Unless he was in the circus, or did stunt double for the Matrix movie,its not possible.For there to be bullet holes only at the bottom of the hallway, and to be shot in his back. He had to be on the floor already. You dont have to beleive me. The proof is in the pudding.
When an officer is investigated through IPA.Why can/t they put the involved officers on leave pending the investigation? Why should the family wait for answers and not the CPD?
you don't want the police in your neighborhood? start acting like respectful people, stop shooting each other, stop the drug dealing, stop calling the police for your baby daddy drama, stop stop stop calling the police. you hate us one minute, but call us the next. you're the most bipolar people on the face of this earth. trust us, not one police officer enjoys patrolling these areas. some of them have nowhere else to go because they just don't have the time on to transfer.
think about where we are coming for once, and stop being so damn selfish and only think of yourselves. you as a community have to grow up, look at yourselves and face the facts already.
you're pathetic, disgusting group of people with an insanely odd way of thinking of the world and life revolves around you and only you. you're meanless to the world and that's why no one cares about you
I am glad to see that another criminal has been elimated off the streets of Chicago. Now another child may have the chance to grown up with out being killed by these criminals. Good Job Police and Thank-you.
Hey James.. You make comments like that and you are a police officer??? It`s no wonder society hates cops.. You should keep your racist mouth shut!
I hate to admit it but my dad told once they hired that cowboy (Weis)from the FBI things would get worse and they have. Since he took over the allegations of police misconduct have gone way up and his attitude towards the family that lost a child is beyond belief. Not all cops are bad and not every black and latino is a law breaker. Mayor Daley needs to tell this clown to tighten the ship or we may see violence between cops vs. citizens similar to the turbulent 60's and 70'. How can we host the olympics if people of the world view chicago as city of rogue cops and lawless citizens!!!
How about interviewing the family of the police officers whos lives were threatened? How about asking the spouse how difficult it is to deal with concerns their loved one's safety on a nightly basis? Ask them about the emotional struggle they face in having their spouses name dragged through the mud in the media any by store-front reverends, all for merely doing their job and protecting themselves and the public?
There's a story I'd love to see. Unfortunately, it will never be written if left up to the likes of Mary Mitchell
HERE LET ME PUT THIS IN A LANGUAGE YOU IDIOTS CAN UNDERSTAND:
IF YOUS AIN'T WANNA BE GETTING SHOTS BY THE POLECE, DON'T BE FITTIN TO POINT 2 GUNS AT THE POLECE" IGNORANT ANIMALS.
Treachery
Why is drugs and volience so rapid in the black community?
Where is our so called black politicion? Aldermans,Precint Captian
Congressman. What are they doing about our communities, beside lying to us to get in office then when they get in they do nothing they promise us. They can stop this black on black crime,I rember in the 80"s when these game rooms came to the community the whites did not want them in they"er community,so they went to they"er alderman and told him that they did not want it and it was done.Why are all the arabs and chinese in our community? Wake up black people its conspiracy
How about interviewing me, the brother of a Chicago police officer who was killed by someone who "didn't have a gun" and "wasn't a criminal"?
Please people... some common sense. Any death is tragic. Two young children are without a father and, apparantly, the mother isn't really in the picture either.
Let's not pretend that this guy walked around with a halo, Mary. Let's also respect the authority that has to deal with situations like this on a daily basis.
12:30am and the children are still out? The man was dressed for work 3 hrs prior to his start time? C'mon! Prior criminal history IS relevant. It shows a pattern. Police may stop people and check for warrants, but don't you want people with warrants off the street? Why don't you focus your anger at the gangs that prey on your own people? I would gladly stand up and help fight that cause.
I am not a police officer. However, I served 5 years in the military as an army ranger and completed 5 tours to Iraq and Afghanistan, respectively. I have an appreciation for authority and a respect for those who choose to place their life on the line for the greater good of society.
I was not there. I don't know if the officers acted appropriately or not, but I will give them the benefit of the doubt. I hate that a father had to die but let's look at the deeper root of the problem not fixate on regressing back to the tired cry of racism that only prevents any real solution from being born!
Common sense, personal responsibility, and respect for each other will lead us to a greater future. Not finger pointing, blame shifting, and regressive thinking.
These blogs offer great dialouge, but, let's be honest with our problems. God bless all!
I appreciate the comment that the CPD officer left.
I, too, have a problem with the circumstances of this incident. The cousin is quik to point out the mistakes of the police officers yet she never denies the fact that her cousin had two guns. Obviously the neighborhood is not that good. I don't care if there were a million people outside, at 12:30 am a 4 & 5 year old should be in bed. If one of my cousins children were out that time of night I would get them in the house before I went home instead of counting on someone, father or not, to do it. Ms. Franklin claims that the neighborhood is not that bad compared to further east where she mentioned other shootings and violence. News Flash... unless there is a bubble around your grandmother's block there is the potential for violence and death. Now that does not make it right, but don't downplay the facts in this story.
It is sad that Shapell Terrell's teenage mistakes (aka criminal background) are constantly named as a factor in this incident because I doubt the police knew his history before hand. However, realistically speaking... almost anyone of us would shoot first and ask questions later if someone was pointing two guns at us.
The million $ question has yet to be asked. If this man was doing nothing wrong and the gunshot wounds imply that he was running away... WHY WAS HE RUNNING AWAY? If he was shot from the fron first, while he was holding two guns the entire incident makes much more sense.
It is a sad day when officers are shunned for making a decision and having no support. Personally, I don't wish death upon anyone, but the crime and murder rate in Chicago is ridiculous. Call me crazy but knowing the police are out there willing to do what it takes to control the violence makes me feel safer.
How many police officers get shot a year?
How many citizens get shot?
As an AA woman, living and working on the Southside, I am horrified that we've come to a place where blacks living in certain communities are lumped in with the rest of the 'lazy population' that just happens to live in our communities.
I am TAX paying CITIZEN who works two jobs. I pay my taxes. I have never been in jail, or got in trouble for anything.
I do not have babies out of wedlock or any ghetto fabulous drama. I feel sorry for those who do not understand it means to live on the South Side having cops play GOD. I do respect those cops who do their part, but those cops who use our communities as play ground for their own morality, are the ones I have a problem with.
I also have a problem with individuals WHO DO NOT KNOW WHAT HAPPENS to black men who are STEREOTYPED by cops with an agenda who STALK THEM AND USE THEIR BADGES to exact whatever judgement they see fit.
I feel for the Terrell family. Mostly the human family has a long way to go, if we continue to GENERALIZE based on a few bad people.
I'm sure on the North Side of the city, everyone ISNT PAYING TAXES.
Get it right people. People live and die everyday. The question is, what will DO YOU TO MAKE THIS A BETTER SOCIETY AND WORLD?
and less than a mile away a firefighter was shot doing his job. sure, shapell didn't have any guns... right, right.. i'm sure he didn't
Hello Mary Mitchell, my name is Olivia and I have a few comments to make. First I would like to say that many people do not come forth as witnesses in investigations because of the lack of respect from the police in the communities. How can you come forth as a witness when the police will either alter what you say to help their case or throw you to the wolves to die. It's hard to sell your soul to the devil when he can't save you from God. The police need better communication tactics and a lesson on respect. An old man once said, "You have to give respect in order to get respect." That statement is so true. Now don't get me wrong of course all teaching starts at home but when I teach my child to respect the law and the law do not respect him in return it's hard to show him the real meaning behind the saying. In the communities the children see police harrassing people for no reason, everyone is not a thug or criminal because they live in low income communities. I can give you a prime example. I was driving my car, May 20,2008, heading north on 59th Ashland when a police car pulled on the side of me and gave a parking ticket in traffic for no city sticker. I just bought the car but the officer didn't want to hear what I had to say and issued the ticket anyway. I continued to drive north on 51st Ashland when the same police car pulled on the side of me again and issued me another parking ticket in traffic for tinted windows. Now Ms. Mitchell, I have a job and I do pay taxes so why was I a target because I was driving on the wrong street at the wrong time or what. I will never understand the meaning behind the officer's actions. He never legally pulled me over to check if I had license or insurance. Now if they harrassed me on that night just imagine what the rest of the communities have to deal with when these type of cops use their badges to further stroke their ego. If back in the day the police walked the beats and had relationships with the people in the communities and everyone helped their fellow neighbor then maybe we need to adapt some of the old ways because that seemed to work for the communities then so let's see if it will work for us now. We need to find a way to save our children before it is to late.
for many years within Chicago's history there have always been corruption. From 90 years ago until now. Chicago has a record of hiring racist cops, cops who do not know how to talk to all people of different ethnics. I truly believe a cop placed a weapon near the victum. Violence within the black community has really gotten out of hand. Guns need to be remove from the streets. This has been a negative reflexion on all black people. African Americans who provide for their families, go to work and take care of their kids. Terrell had a record, however,it seems he was making a honest living to provide for his family. Because of his criminal background should not tarnish this man's legacy as a father who provided for his family. There's a lot of men who have criminal backgrounds, men who are black, white, hispanic, etc. We should not hold that against this man. As I said before, I believe the police shot an unarm man.
I don't know who is to blame here, but the cousin's story is definitely one sided. Why does she call channel 7 News? Attention maybe? Is this what you want? Appears so. The black community has to stop this violence from within. They have to stand together with those so called community supporters of Rev. Wright, Al Sharpton, Farrakhan, Pfleger and do something about it. They have done nothing to stop the violence in the black community. NOTHING. Except blame someone else such as the police and the white man/woman. Blame yourselves and clean it up. It is time. Mary Mitchell should help too. Her community service project and diversity training that she needs to do like the rest of us.
SHE IS SAYING HER AND HER FAMILY ARE DISPUTING CLAIMS HE EVEN HAS A GUN. AND THATS WHY SHE MENTIONS THE GUNS WERE NOT BLOODY OR EVEN NEAR HIS BODY.
I LIVE IN THE AREA NOT BUT TWO BLOCKS FROM THE INCIDENT,AND THERE HAS NEVER BEEN ANYTHING LIKE THIS BEFORE.
SHE IS RIGHT THE POLICE ARE TARGETING AFRICAN AMERICAN MEN.ESPECIALLY IN AREAS WHERE THEY FEEL IT MAY LIKELY BE INCIDENTS OR VIOLENCE. I THANK DENISE AND HER FAMILY FOR NOT JUST ALLOWING THE PUBLIC AND ITS OFFICALS TO JUST SWEEP THIS UNDER THE RUG AS ANOTHER JUSTICE SERVED.
IT IS OBIVOULS THAT THE PEOPLE THAT CANNOT RELATE TO POLICE DISCRIMATION, DONT LIVE IN THE AREA. OR RATHER LIVE IN A LA LA LAND. HOW IS IT THEY ARE SAYING THIS MAN IS SUCH A THREAT TO HIM YET CAN ONLY, AND LET ME CLEARLY SAY THAT ONLY SHOOT HIM 17 TIMES IN THE BACK.
I DROVE PAST 85TH AND OLGESBY AND SEEN THE HALLWAY, THEY HAVE THE DOOR PROMPT OPEN WITH BOLLONS AND SUCH. I SEEN THE BULLET HOLES, THERE ARE MAYBE ONE OR TWO AT THE DOOR TOP BUT ABOUT 10 OR MORE ON THE GROUND. SO HE WAS ALREADY ON THE FLOOR. SO WERE IS THE JUSTICE IN THAT?
THAT FACT HAS NOT BEEN MENTIONED AT ALL BY ANY PERSON COMMENTING. THEY KEEP SAYING WELL HIS KIDS WERE OUTSIDE LATE. SO WHAT AS WERE ABOUT 10 OTHER PPL. WE ARE LOOSING SITE OF THE FACTS HERE. YES ITS MY NEIBORHOOD NOW. BUT BULLETS DONT HAVE NAMES. YOU COULD HAVE BEEN LOST AND BEEN COUGHT IN THE CROSS FIRE. IT COULD HAVE BEEN ANYONE ELSE. AND SHE IS RIGHT.
HAD THIS BEEN ANOTHER PART OF CHICAGO WHERE THE BLACKS ARE THE MINORITY INSTEAD OF THE MAJORITY AND THIS HAPPEN, THE OFFICERS WOULD HAVE BEEN SUSPENED PENDING INVESTAGATION
Dwayne
Don't come to these blogs with ignorance please. You're the idiot
he has 7 children, married for 18 years, was on his way to work at 1am. and had to be at work at 3am, Minus the commute time, minus eating and preparation for work.
Look at you all trying to find reasons he should have been murdered by the police. And the IPA they havent released the history or even the names of the offericers involved. Nore did they mention why two plan cloths police are even responds to a "shot fired" call If a call even came through. No witnesses heard shots fired. And it was noted in the news that a man was killed in the 8200 block of essex at 1130pm. Still that doesnt answer why the police at 1am are on the 2300 blk of 85th Street.
If i were the family i would have those records pulled. The police be on some BS out south. and all theses NORTHSIDER, and SUBURBANITES, REPUBLICANS that are commenting really need to read the entire interveiw. The newspaper articles and do there research. Its so easy for the victim who cannot speak for himself, to be the bad guy. Not the trigger finger officer involved. I dont know what this new police superintendent is telling these officers but EVERy N****a dont have a gun thats out in the early AM hours.There are some ppl that do work while you sleep. And his poor family. His 2 youngest children forced to endore such a lost so early in life. God Be with his family. And the bastards that made it all possible
What Chicago has now is a Police cosa nostra. Police Officers investigating Police Officers? That's a scary concept. Given the extraordinary powers endowed them, Police Officers should not be investigating and clearing other Police Officers - period. Wearing that city flag and badge, taking the oath to serve and protect, is a privilege and a sacred trust between officers and the taxpaying public. Whether as a whole, or in part, the officers of the Chicago Police Department have betrayed that sacred trust. To expect a citizen to "feel empathy" or to "feel sorry" for Chicago's "poor overworked police officers" is the most blatant form of department propaganda - and it's shameless. It's sheer lunacy to feel sorry for individuals granted the authority to arrest civil rights, and to take human life, who then betray the very trusted of the grantors of such an extraordinary power. If you're a cop and being a cop is 'so hard on you' then we suggest this - RESIGN. Being a cop is a tough job, and its a balancing act, no doubt about it. That's why society sets the bar for internal fortitude and morality so very high for those wishing to pursue this line of work. Should your weaknesses cause you to betray your oath, then you have betrayed the sacred trust of the public. That, in and of itself, makes you no longer qualified to hold this position. So RESIGN - and at your earliest convenience. Being an officer of the law is not your right. Being a Police Officer is not about your badge, or carrying a gun. It is a reserved privilege, bestowed upon you by a society that believes you to be one of the Finest bearers of the principals of it's citizens. Citizens, that you are honor bound to protect and serve. Citizens, who grant you a privilege so deeply rooted in constitutional law, that to betray it, even once, by definition makes you an enemy of the people, and of the state, and of our union. How many sworn Chicago Police Officers have betrayed that trust is not publicly known - yet. What is known, is that where the sanctity and preservation of human life is concerned, "One bad apple", is too many.
Everyone in this neighborhood is praising this man and making excuses. The fact of the matter is that the police, in my eyes, have a little more credibility than the neighbors, friends and family because they are so emotional. You have to consider the amount of crime that is controlling our streets right now and realize that this is not a game. How can you call the police one minute and accuse them of treachery the next. I was raised on the southside and have never witnessed a shooting, although I'm sure they happen. But I do know that the police are always patrolling the neighborhood where I live and for some reason it doesn'y make me paranoid, maybe because I am not a criminal and don't associate with them, they actually make me feel a little safer.
I thought the sister stated that this young man did not have any guns, my prayers to the family I have a young son (24) and I pray and ask god everyday to protect him out these streets
I thought the sister stated that this young man did not have any guns, my prayers to the family I have a young son (24) and I pray and ask god everyday to protect him out these streets
Mary,
Simple solutions:
If the police are that afraid of the streets, they should not become cops in the first place. Remove them and replace them with military Soldiers who are more trained for guerilla warfare.
Racists should leave the US. Since the US stands for everything the racists hate.
Unfit parents who continuously have children should be castrated for polluting neighborhoods with unwanted kids who in turn become these racists, gangbangers, terrorist, police degenerates.
And lastly, if a city is becoming outrageously crime ridden, the cost to fix the problem should be drawn directly from the representatives of that city/state. Guarantee crime would almost be eliminated if it meant no body guards or retirement pension.
HeeMan
whoa is me.....It will be a whoa when you actually experience a shooting,I have witnessed several on they block where I used to stay and I would say you (God forbid) need to witness something before you can say what you have in this blog. Police never make me feel comfortable because I tend to always witness abuse.
Well, a police officer was killed. Perhaps that will make some of you happy. And let's see if Ms Mitchell has anything to contribute to this story.
THINGS LIKE THIS HAVE BEEN HAPPENING FOR YEARS.COPS NEED TO BE TREATED JUST LIKE EVERYBODY ELSE.IN FACT THERE PUNISHMENT SHOULD BE MORE SEVERE BECASUSE THEY HAVE BEEN TRUSTED TO PROTECT THE PEOPLE NOT THEM SELVES.
Now the city has lost a hero to the streets in Officer Francis.....If the police didnt take this guy carring and pointing 2 guns out then.... We would probably have more dead heros.... Wake up people just because he was black doesnt make him an angel nor does it make him evil.....the fact is still there HE HAD 2 GUNS (recovered in his own hands).
Here we are again, in the midst of another Police shooting, another black man shot by the police. Why does it appear that ONLY when Blacks are shot by the police that this become a news worthy thing. Everyday Blacks shoot one another down with near impunity and like always NOBODY seen a thing or heard anything. Fast forward to a Police shooting, you always have someone(s) who seen everything from beginning to end, you also have people who were able to hear each and every spoken word doing the incident(s). NEWS FLASH to the family, the Police do not have to wait until your family member start shooting at them before they take an action, nor do they have to try and shoot the gun(s) out of his hands. Its always been strange to me how some Blacks feel like the laws do not apply to them i.e. I drive my car without license or insurance, my windows are tinted, I can stop in the middle of the steet and engaged in conversation, that red light or stop sign is for someone else, This ain't my dope, this is my cousin's coat, I borrow this car from LiL man and he lives in the 100's, I don't know where that gun came from or how it got in my pocket........how dare the police stop me! Don't they know who I am? Fact: this guy was a convicted felon FACT: there were two guns recovered Fact; this guy was shot by the Police, sorry family would you have felt better if he was shot just once and died. Maybe if there wasn't any property damages the whole incident might not be as traumatic? Actually it should be the police suing this man estate/family for causing them to go through such a traumatic experience. Wow! the Police suing the offenders and family, thats enough to take the victimization out of the community
Ebone, just be quiet ....please!!!!
Big Bill,
To answer your question, on average there are:
3 police officers killed in the line of duty by criminals each year, and
13 people killed by police each year.
The police force is approx 13,000 (this is probably too high of a number as one officer commented that there are only 7,000 currently due to budget cuts). The population of the city is approx 3 million (this is probably far too low of a number due to the large number of visitors and undocumented people residing in the city)
With these numbers it appears that 1 out of 4,333 police officers is killed each year while 1 out of 230,769 is killed each year. Keep in mind, because of the estimates used above, the occurrence is probably understated for police officers and overstated for the general population.
If you took the number of people killed by police each year against the number of dangerous situations that a police officer encounters each year you would see how rare it is that the situations come to this. I understand that does not make the situation any better for Terrell's family, however, generalizing the police as trigger happy is a gross misrepresentation of what is happening on our streets.
Unlike most of us, these officers do not watch these stories on the news. They encounter these situations daily, and have to make split second, life or death decisions. These officers did not seek Terrell out to shoot him. They were called to the scene, they found him with 2 guns, and he disobeyed police orders.
Some people do not like the police department for their own reasons, however, we all need to respect the officers who risk their lives every day for our safety. The officers were sent to the scene to serve and protect which is exactly what they did.