An Ohio grand jury on Sept. 24 declined to issue an indictment in the killing of John Crawford III, who was shot in a Beavercreek Walmart by police Aug. 5.
The announcement has caused anger among protesters and Crawford’s family, who have been demanding the officers involved in the shooting be prosecuted. Nine grand jury members spent two days reviewing security footage of the incident and hearing testimony from 18 witnesses before deciding not to hand down an indictment. Only one of the two officers involved, Sean Williams, was named in court documents associated with the grand jury.
“The Crawford family is extremely disappointed, disgusted and confused,” said Michael Wright, and attorney for the Crawford family. “They are heartbroken that justice was not done in the tragic death of their only son.”
Wright charged that Ohio Attorney General Mike DeWine and Special Prosecutor Scott Piepmeier did not try to get an indictment and aren’t standing up for Crawford’s civil rights. Crawford was black, the officers white. The family has called for a federal investigation into the killing.
The Department of Justice has announced it will investigate Crawford’s death. Ohio Gov. John Kasich and DeWine earlier called for a federal investigation of the incident.
“After talking with the Attorney General and watching the video myself, I agree with his decision that a review by the U.S. Department of Justice is appropriate,” Kasich said in a Sept. 24 statement. “This is a tragedy for the Crawford family and I share the concern of many in the community that this matter must be handled with the utmost seriousness and respect.”
Crawford was shot after Ronald Ritchie, another customer in the store that day, called 911 to report Crawford carrying around what Ritchie called an assault rifle. Police arrived and shot Crawford twice. The rifle later turned out to be a pellet gun Crawford had picked up from a store shelf.
In the call, Ritchie says Crawford was pointing the gun at people, though in a later interview with The Guardian he contradicts that statement. Walmart security footage released after the grand jury announcement shows Crawford talking on his cellphone and carrying the weapon through the store at his side or slung over his shoulder.
This article appears in Oct 1-7, 2014.