Deonte Rawlings, age 14, resident of Condon Terrace, son, grandson, brother, nephew and somebody’s best friend.
On September 18, 2007, Deonte was shot in the back and killed by an off-duty police officer.
An officer with the D.C. Metropolitan Police Department found his mini-bike missing. Off duty, he asked a friend and fellow cop to help look for who may have stolen it. They said they found Deonte on the bike. They said that when they went after him, Deonte shot at them and they shot back. They say that they didn’t murder 14-year old Deonte Rawlings. But, the stolen bike was found in Upper Marlboro and no weapon was found at the scene of the shooting. What did authorities find? Deonte’s body covered with signs that he had beaten.
You check the facts:
Off-duty officer kills teenager in hunt for stolen bike, NBC4.
Autopsy: Teen Shot in Back of Head By Police, Washington Informer
Emotional Vigil for Teen Killed by Police, WTOP
Police violence against youth is not at all a new problem. Facilitating Leadership in Youth surveyed over 500 D.C. teens, most whom live in Southeast, and found that many of them have experienced or witnessed harassment, brutality and other harm against youth committed by D.C. police officers. So, why is it that police brutality is not often mentioned as a form of violence against youth. Is it because the term, “youth violence” so often used in discussions about young people and violence does not allow us to consider common forms of violence not committed by another young person? Is it because youth themselves — especially the young people who experience this kinds of violence — are not at the center of the conversation? In order to create a comprehensive vision of peace and work for safety for all young people, we must break the silence on police violence against youth and work together for real solutions.
Police brutality is an old problem. Must we wait for deadly consequences to bring an end?
What do you think should be done? What is being done already?
