The New York Police Department (NYPD) shot dead 18 year old Khiel Coppin on Monday. Khiel Coppin was born in Tobago and moved to the United States when he was one year old. NYPD reportedly shot Khiel because he had a gun. The gun however turned out to be a hair brush.
Khiel's mother, Denise Owens called 911 frantically reporting that Khiel was armed with a gun. Khiel was mentally ill and stopped taking his medication. Owens wanted Coppin to start taking the medication again to address his mental illness. Coppin and Owens had a heated argument earlier in the day. In the 911 recording a voice assumed to be Coppin is heard saying, "I got a gun and I'm gonna shoot you."
When the 911 operator asked if Coppin is armed she replied, "You heard it out of his mouth." When NYPD arrived on the scene, in a matter of minutes Coppin was shot 10 to 20 times in a dark alley while rushing at the police. The police claim Khiel was armed with a gun and coming to them. The "gun" eventually turned out to be a hair brush.
It is alleged by the New York Polic Department that Khiel was asked to put his stop, show his hands and get on the ground. He did not respond and shortly after raised his sweatshirt, pulled an object out and ran towards the police. The NYPD does not have a good history when it comes to killing young black men. Here is another instance. Coppin's mother, Owens is calling for an immediate and thorough investigation into the matter.
Many questions are being raised including, did they (NYPD) need to shoot the young man 10 to 20 times to restrain him? What other methods besides, hands up and get on the floor did they attempt to use? Isn't the use of deadly force only to be used as a last resort? Although the mother called with the son saying he had a gun, without reinforcing evidence of such the officers should have done a way more professional job in this matter.
