TULSA, OK – Hip Hop mourns Terence Crutcher,shot and killed at the hands of police in Tulsa, Oklahoma Friday (September 16), according to the New York Times..
Authorities claim that the 40-year-old man was not listening to orders when interacting with the police. A second police car arrived on the scene and the officers surrounded Crutcher before tazing him. Moments later, Officer reportedly fired the lone shot that killed Crutcher.
Videos show the shooting with Crutcher’s hands in the air. One video is from the dash camera of one of the police cars on the scene. The other is police helicopter footage from above the scene. In both videos,
Shelby’s lawyer, Scott Wood, said his client believed Crutcher had a weapon on him Crutcher reportedly reached into the car window before he was shot. Shelby,is currently on paid administrative leave.
Tulsa Police Chief Chuck Jordan addressed the media, admitting that Crutcher was found to be unarmed. He continued by saying that the second squad car arrived after Shelby called for backup because Crutcher was not complying.
Crutcher’s family, which includes a twin sister, expresses sadness at the lost of their loved one to BBC. They ask for people to help them seek justice for the case, but to remain peaceful while protesting.
Questlove addressed the incident in context with the current protest of the National Anthemby NFL players. San Francisco quarterback Colin Kaepernick initiated the protest.
“I am not going to stand up to show pride in a flag for a country that oppresses black people and people of color,” he said as his reasoning for not standing during the “Star Spangled Banner.” “To me, this is bigger than football and it would be selfish on my part to look the other way. There are bodies in the street and people getting paid leave and getting away with murder.”
Speak On It!