Good evening,
We want to thank you again for your support of our petition demanding release of the full, unredacted body cam footage in the attempted execution of Rodney Wilson by the Wilmington Police Department and the New Hanover County Sheriff's Office on August 21, 2026.
As you know, Rodney was in the midst of a psychiatric crisis on that August evening. His grandmother called 911 for assistance in de-escalating her grandson as he experienced terrifying psychiatric symptoms. Instead of compassion, empathy, and support, however, Rodney was met with a barrage of gunfire. Officers from WPD and deputies from NHSO fired over 60 rounds. Rodney was hit with 20 of these rounds. It is a miracle that he survived.
Our petition is gaining momentum! We have now garnered 260 signatures demanding the immediate release of the full, unredacted body camera footage in the brutal, racially-motivated near-execution of Rodney Wilson by area law enforcement.
Tonight we are asking you to take a moment to contact local officials to let them know release of the full, unredacted body cam footage in this incident is imperative. We deserve to see the full, unredacted body cam footage in order to determine for ourselves whether the official police narrative surrounding this incident is accurate.
Confidence in local law enforcement is eroding in the wake of several recent incidents of racially-biased excessive uses of force by WPD and NHSO. Despite an increase in local media attention over the last few days, and a massive wave of content and discussion on social media, local elected officials have been silent on the Rodney Wilson case.
I emailed Mayor Saffo, Sheriff McMahon, and Councilman Joyner twice over the past 5 days. I have not received a single response. Tonight we hope you will contact these officials and let them know we demand to know for ourselves the objective truth of the near-execution of Rodney Wilson by area law enforcement.
Mayor Saffo:
Sheriff McMahon:
Chief Zuidema:
Councilman Joyner:
Please spend a few moments this evening and let Saffo, McMahon, Zuidema, and Joyner know this issue is important to you. Let them know we demand immediate release of the full, unredacted body camera footage in the brutal near-execution of Rodney Wilson. Let them know your confidence is waning in their ability to appropriately police this community; let them know you are losing trust.
Rodney and his family are incredibly grateful for the support, prayers, and love. Please continue to share the link to the petition with friends and family near and far. We will not rest until justice is served in this incident.
God bless you.