Family of BART Shooting-Victim: 'Stop The Violence'
Thursday, January 8, 2009 – updated: 4:15 pm PST January 8, 2009
OAKLAND, Calif. -- Family and friends of Oscar Grant III, who was shot by a Bay Area Rapid Transit police officer on New Year's Day, spoke out Thursday against violent riots the night before in downtown Oakland.
Speaking for the first time since the shooting at the Fruitvale BART, Grant's mother Wanda Johnson beseeched residents to avoid violence and not tarnish the image of her son.
"You're hurting people who have nothing to do with the situation. You're vandalizing their property, hurting their cars and breaking their windows. Please just stop it, please," Johnson said at an afternoon news conference.
John Burris, the attorney representing Grant's family, said the anger behind Wednesday night's violence was not totally related to Grant.
Grant's situation is "symbolic for many African American and Hispanic males of how police respond to them," he said. "We recognize in the city of Oakland there have been a number of police shootings over the past year."
Oakland Mayor Ron Dellums and police announced Thursday afternoon that the Oakland Police Department would be investigating Grant's shooting, along with the district attorney's office, in addition to the BART police investigation.
Burris had heard that was a possibility and welcomed the idea, saying he was open to an investigation by Oakland police or "another police agency with more experience" with homicides.
Grant's uncle, Cephus Johnson, said he was unaware of the violence brewing while he was attending the Grant's memorial service Wednesday.
"We believe in the process. We have always believed in the process," Johnson said.
He urged people to go through the system rather than cause upheaval.
A group of Grant's friends also opposed Wednesday night's violence.
Speaking on their behalf, Mario Pangelino Jr. said "Everyone be cool. Just be out there in support of us."
Thursday, January 8, 2009 – updated: 4:15 pm PST January 8, 2009
OAKLAND, Calif. -- Family and friends of Oscar Grant III, who was shot by a Bay Area Rapid Transit police officer on New Year's Day, spoke out Thursday against violent riots the night before in downtown Oakland.
Speaking for the first time since the shooting at the Fruitvale BART, Grant's mother Wanda Johnson beseeched residents to avoid violence and not tarnish the image of her son.
"You're hurting people who have nothing to do with the situation. You're vandalizing their property, hurting their cars and breaking their windows. Please just stop it, please," Johnson said at an afternoon news conference.
John Burris, the attorney representing Grant's family, said the anger behind Wednesday night's violence was not totally related to Grant.
Grant's situation is "symbolic for many African American and Hispanic males of how police respond to them," he said. "We recognize in the city of Oakland there have been a number of police shootings over the past year."
Oakland Mayor Ron Dellums and police announced Thursday afternoon that the Oakland Police Department would be investigating Grant's shooting, along with the district attorney's office, in addition to the BART police investigation.
Burris had heard that was a possibility and welcomed the idea, saying he was open to an investigation by Oakland police or "another police agency with more experience" with homicides.
Grant's uncle, Cephus Johnson, said he was unaware of the violence brewing while he was attending the Grant's memorial service Wednesday.
"We believe in the process. We have always believed in the process," Johnson said.
He urged people to go through the system rather than cause upheaval.
A group of Grant's friends also opposed Wednesday night's violence.
Speaking on their behalf, Mario Pangelino Jr. said "Everyone be cool. Just be out there in support of us."
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