On August 5, 2014 in Beavercreek, Ohio, John Crawford III was shot and killed by police while holding a toy rifle in a Wal-Mart. A customer became alarmed when he saw Crawford carrying the rifle and called 911. The air-pump toy gun, which could shoot BBs or pellets, had been removed from its original packaging.
Beavercreek police said that the 22-year-old African American failed to obey responding officers’ orders to put down the rifle and that Officer Sean Williams and Sgt. David Darkow, who are both white, followed proper protocol when they shot him.
On September 25, a Greene County special grand jury refused to indict both officers. A surveillance video from the store was released publicly after the grand jury’s decision was announced. It showed John Crawford being fired upon just seconds after being encountered by the police. The incident is being investigated by the U.S. Department of Justice.
Related media stories:
» “Officer: ‘I fired two shots center-mass at (John Crawford III)” – Dayton Daily News
» “New Video Shows John Crawford Fatally Shot By Police In Walmart” – Huff Post Crime
» “No Charges in Ohio Police Killing of John Crawford as Wal-Mart Video Contradicts 911 Caller Account" - Democracy Now!
» “Officer who shot John Crawford to stay on desk duty” – WHIO
» “Locals rally downtown for John Crawford III” – WDTN
» “John Crawford’s family sues Wal-Mart, Ohio town police for wrongful death” – The Washington Post
