Dear Jacksonville Sheriff's Department,

  We, the undersigned members of Jacksonville, FL are petioning to formally request the immediate release of body camera footage related to the shooting of Dejuane Aki Hayden that occurred on October 10, 2024. This tragic event, which involved who the community believes was an unarmed individual, has raised significant concerns within our community regarding transparency, accountability, and the use of excessive force by law enforcement.

The circumstances surrounding this incident have sparked a widespread of outrage and concerns among community members since details concerning the execution of Dejuane Aki Hayden does not align with the video recorded from the victim's phone. 

On October 10, 2024 three men were seen laughing and joking with one another on facebook live without weapons, drugs, or any signs of illegal activity. In the midst of these men enjoying themselves you can see multiple officers from Jacksonville Sheriff's Office arriving on the scene unproked with no probable cause other than noticing what the officer's described as "Three gang members" that they recognized; The officers approached the victims with guns drawned even though the officer's were not in a situation where they were in immediate danger, which by Florida Law would cause for weapons to be drawned - aggressively the officers demanded the victims to get on the ground. The victims are seen complying with law enforcemen. However seconds later shots from Officer Griffitts ranged out. In the video you can hear one of the victims vocalizing with so much fear and pain in his voice that the officer just shot his brother and in response an unidentified officer stated "I don't care what we did!" 

 

As members of this comunity, we believe it is our right to access this footage to ensure that a thorough and transparent investigation is conducted. The release of the body cam footage is essential for the following reasons:

 

1. Transparency: The public deserves to know the full context of the events that transpired during the incident. Transparency in law enforcement actions fosters trust between the police and the community they serve.

2. Accountability: Releasing the footage will allow for a proper assessment of the officers’ actions during the incident. It is crucial to hold law enforcement accountable for their conduct, especially in situations involving the use of deadly force against unarmed individuals.

3. Community Healing: The release of this footage can contribute to community healing and understanding. It is essential for the public to have access to information that can help clarify the events that led to this tragic outcome.

4. Prevention of Misinformation: In the absence of official information, misinformation can spread rapidly. Providing access to the body cam footage will help ensure that accurate information is disseminated to the community.

We respectfully urge you to prioritize the release of the body cam footage unedited in a reasonable amount of time. As part of your commitment to serve, protect, transparency and accountability in law enforcement. We believe that the release of this footage is a critical step toward fostering a safer community for all residents.

We appreciate your attention to this important matter and look forward to your prompt action.

 

Sincerely,

The community of Jacksonville, FL