Texas Civil Rights Attorney – A Houston, Texas, Rally of Protest Highlights the Deaths of 2 African Americans
On April 4, 2017, in Houston, Texas, about 20 people gathered at City Hall to demand justice for two people they allege were killed by Houston police officers. See Part 1 of this two-part series to learn more about what occurred at City Hall that day.
On July 9, 2016, Alva Braziel was shot in a police encounter at about 12:40 am. According to the two Hispanic police officers involved in the death of Alva Braziel, they discovered him standing in the street with a gun pointed toward the sky. Braziel was told to lower the weapon, and he allegedly pointed it at the officers. In response, both police officers shot Braziel for a total of ten times. Both officers were placed on administrative leave for three days. Body cameras were activated after the shooting. The Houston Chief of Police Martha Montalvo said the officers were ensuring their own safety before activating the cameras.
Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner released videos related to the shooting of Braziel, to ease tensions and show that the victim was clearly armed. It was not a case of an unarmed man being gunned down.
On February 2017, Vincent Young, who was housed in the Harris County Sheriff’s Office Baker Street Detention Medical Infirmary, was found hanging by a bed sheet. Medical personnel were immediately contacted by deputies. CPR and other forms of medical intervention were performed until EMS arrived and members of the Fire Department took over. Young was transported to a hospital, but doctors weren’t successful in attempts to revive him.
Friends and family members of Young accused police of misconduct, claiming there was no way he would have killed himself. There are no surveillance videos of Young’s cell.
In both of these cases, family members and friends have been unsatisfied at the alleged lack of accountability police are held to for their alleged deadly actions.
–Guest Contributor
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