No charges for white policeman who killed black teen

Justus Howell, 17, was shot to death by a white police officer on April 4.

A white police officer, who killed an African-American teenager in April, will not be charged, announced authorities in the state of Illinois.

The top attorney of Lake County, Michael Nerheim, told reporters that Officer Eric Hill was justified in killing 17-year-old Justus Howell on April 4, despite concerns of racial bias.

“Officer Hill was justified in his decision to use deadly force ... Howell was armed and dangerous,” Nerheim stated on Thursday.

The fatal shooting has been criticized by the community as it was reported that the officer shot Howell twice in the back while he was trying to get away from him.

The several-week investigation was carried out by several law enforcement agencies, including the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI).

Reporters were at the police department listening to top attorney of Lake County, Michael Nerheim, justify the killing of Justus Howell.  (AP photo)

According to the official version of the story, Howell tried to steal a handgun. Then he fought with the seller of the gun and somehow it went off. Moments later, Officer Hill arrived, chased Howell around the neighborhood and yelled "Stop and drop your gun."

The officer then fired his gun, killing Howell only when the teen turned toward him with the gun in his right hand, Nerheim said.

During a press conference, officials showed a very poor-quality video that caught some parts of the incident in Zion, a community in Lake County 45 miles north of Chicago with a population of nearly 24,000 people.

Howell's family, however, remained doubtful of the prosecutor's decision not to charge the officer.

"I have seen that video. There is nothing that suggests they should execute my son,” said Howell’s mother.

"There is no video or pictures of him actually holding a gun," Alice Howell, the teen's grand mother told local media afterwards.

Many activists were angered after the acquittal of the policeman. Several community activists held a gathering to protest the move by authorities.

"People have never had faith in the system and with this; the last faith is out the door. I think people are going to be upset." Kasey Burton an activist in Zion told AP.

"I don't like the police either, and I don't do anything to get in trouble,” said Darion Nash, also from Zion. "But they keep getting away with things."

Recently, police brutality as well as the racial profiling of minorities by US law enforcement agencies has become a major concern in the United States.

The killing of several unarmed black men by white police officers in recent months and decisions by grand juries not to indict the officers triggered large-scale protests across the country.

HDS/HRJ


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