via Flickr
In June 2018 in Pittsburgh, 17-year-old Antwon Rose was with a friend in an unlicensed cab when they were pulled over by Officer Michael Rosfeld. When the two ran in fear, Rosfeld killed the unarmed teen, shooting him 3 times in the back.
Officer Michael Rosfeld was charged with criminal homicide and went to trial for killing Antwon after making CONTRADICTING statements about what actually happened. Many thought he’d be found guilty, but it only took the jury a few hours to acquit Rosfeld.
The foreman of the jury said Antwon brought it on himself and the officer “didn’t know what the kid had” - seemingly trying to justify Antwon’s killing. People across the city have broken out in protests, including students participating in a city-wide school walkout.
Even the mayor himself said the verdict made him “sick to his stomach.”
He told reporters, “When an actor is fleeing the scene and unarmed, the use of force needs to be reevaluated in determining what is reasonable and what is not."
Antwon’s parents are understandably heartbroken. They now join a long list of Black parents who have lost children to cops that don’t value Black life. We’re hoping something gets better because of the movement for Antwon.