Semi-comatose on the ground w/nothing in his hands, police fired 31 bullets at point-blank
Semi-comatose on the ground w/nothing in his hands, police fired 31 bullets at point-blank
Semi-comatose on the ground with nothing in his hands, police fired 31 bullets at point-blank, killing Juston Root. He posed NO conceivable THREAT. To date ZERO #transparency and ZERO #accountability. No body camera footage of the killing. CAN WE COUNT ON YOU to sign our petition? Let's ALL show the Newly appointed Massachusetts Attorney General Andrea Campbell that an independent investigation is imperative! Click here to sign our petition.
On Feb. 7th, 2020, Juston was just outside the mental health center where he received treatment for 8+ years, located in Boston at the campus of Brigham & Women’s Hospital. He had an oversized clear plastic paintball gun in his waist. One of the hospital's security guards had a conversation with Juston and concluded that something was "seriously off' with him. They shook hands and Juston walked away. The Boston Police were called with a report of a person with a gun. When officers arrived, one of them used deadly force immediately, injuring Juston. He limped to his car, one of his legs was bleeding badly, he got in his car and drove away slowly. The Boston Police ensued a car chase, and minutes later Juston's car crashed. He staggered out (leaving approx 2000cc of blood on his carseat), dropped to the ground nearby, covered in blood. A former EMT passerby rushed over to give him aid, she described his condition as “lights off, no one home”. Moments later, the Police arrived, yelling at the former EMT to get away from Juston. Seconds after she ran one officer kicked Juston, and then the six officers shot 31 bullets from point blank range, killing Juston instantly. He posed no conceivable threat to the officers or the public. He was unarmed and had nothing in his hands.
The Norfolk DA exonerated these officers after just one month. Critical evidence and important witness statements were left out of the DA's final report, including the former EMT who was there right before Juston was shot to death. The police have not released any footage of the actual shooting. The report says only one officer had a body camera on and filming, but their arm obstructed the lens just before the officers fired. The report is wholly inadequate and far from transparent.
Our family and the public deserve no less than the truth. The only way to get the truth is for an impartial transparent independent investigation into Juston’s killing.
We DEMAND Massachusetts Attorney General Andrea Campbell, Governor Maura Healey and Boston's Mayor Michelle Wu appoint an independent investigator immediately.
Thank you for your support!
Twitter: @JustonRoot