A Jacksonville family is demanding answers after a 19-year-old was fatally shot by police during a traffic stop outside of Chicago according to JAX 4. Marcellis Stinnette’s sister, Zhanellis Banks told the news station, “This is just something that I see on the news or on TV and think it’ll never happen to me. Now I’m a victim of the same thing. My mother has lost her son. Another African-American family is broken.”
Stinnette’s family said that he had recently moved to Chicago.
Waukegan Police said Stinnette’s encounter with police started Tuesday when an officer started to investigate a report of a suspicious car, but the car drove off.
Another officer would later spot the car and according to police the officer approached on foot. The car reversed and the officer fired his gun, out of fear for his safety.
Stinnette a passenger in the vehicle, died on the scene. Tafara Williams, the Florida natives girlfriend was driving the car, is currently in the hospital with serious injuries the news station reported.
“He didn’t deserve to go out like this. He didn’t deserve that at all,” Stinnette’s sister Tanellis Holmes said.
Stinnette’s family said they have heard conflicting stories, including one from a possible witness.
“At this point, I’ve cried all my tears. We’re ready for justice. we’re ready for reform. This can’t happen to another family,” Banks said.
Body camera video have been turned over to the Illinois State Police. Police officials have confirmed no weapons were found in the vehicle.
“I want answers,” Banks said. “Why is it that people who are supposed to protect us took my brother’s life away? He had no weapons. He had no weapon.”
Stinnette’s family also stated he was still recovering from injures he had from a car accident in August.
“He was already hurting. He was already recovering from something,” Banks said. “Knowing he was in the passenger seat. The girl said he pleaded for his life. He begged them, ‘Please don’t take my life.’”
Lake County State’s Attorney Michael Nerheim released a statement about incident:
“It is important for residents and media members alike to understand the process that takes place in these types of cases. …. Once the Illinois State Police completes their investigation, the entire investigation will be turned over to my office for a thorough review. I do not receive any information until the entire investigation is complete, which can take several weeks to finish.”
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