Some African-American Aldermen on the Danville City Council have released a statement regarding this week’s fatal shooting of a man by Danville Police. Vice Mayor Brenda Brown, and Aldermen Lloyd Randle and Rickey Williams, Jr., all say it is crucial that the community allow the necessary due process to run its course as it relates to the ongoing investigation being conducted by Illinois State Police. They say action without evidence could be detrimental to both the outcome of the investigation and our community.
The statement from the three aldermen (shown above) says ‘’transparency is vital as it relates to how police agencies interact with communities when incidents of this nature occur.’’ Therefore they are requesting any video and/or audio footage of the incident that exists of the incident ‘’be released to the public post haste.’’ The statement from Vice Mayor Brown and Aldermen Randle and Williams to VermilionCountyFirst.com News adds:
‘’Evidence of what occurred that can or will assure the public that the actions of either party cannot be disputed and that can collaborate official testimony given by either the officers involved and/or any witnesses would go a long way in resolving the heightened tensions that exist as a result of this incident. If this request is not granted, we shall file a Freedom of Information Act to obtain the requested data.’’
The three city council members say that first and foremost, they extend their condolences to the family of the victim and express their concern for the officers involved in the incident. ‘’All remain in our thoughts and prayers,’’ added the statement. The aldermen say it is ‘’the community’s expectation that this investigation be thorough, fair, impartial, and without bias in regard to any of the parties involved.’’
Reverend Roosevelt ‘’R. J.’’ Davis….who is also an African-American member of the Danville City Council…refused to sign the statement that was released, according to the three aldermen. VermilionCountyFirst.com News attempted to reach Reverend Davis to ask why he was refusing to sign it….but efforts to reach him were not successful.
[See earlier stories on this website regarding details which have been released regarding the shooting.]
