Seattle King County NAACP Stands Firm That Police Killing of Che Taylor Was Murder: Call on Chief O'Toole and Mayor Murray to Answer to Community

PRESS STATEMENT
For Immediate Release: Tuesday, March 29th, 2016
Contact: Rachael DeCruz, communications@seattlekingcountynaacp.org, 508-451-9455


Seattle King County NAACP Stands Firm That Police Killing of Che Taylor Was Murder
Call on Chief O'Toole and Mayor Murray to Answer to Community


Seattle, WA--Yesterday afternoon, Seattle Police Department released additional evidence regarding the police killing of Che Taylor. 

In response, the Seattle King County NAACP released the following statement:

"The Seattle King County NAACP stands by our assertion that the police killing of Che Taylor was murder. Under the consent decree with the Department of Justice, Seattle Police Department is required to keep the community updated regarding their investigation. However, the additional information shared yesterday raises more questions than answers--failing to provide the family and community with any tangible information regarding the investigation. 

While the community continues to grieve our brother that was gunned down in the street, we have yet to see anything that convinces us he had a gun on him at the time of the shooting. Yesterday's findings were nothing more than a smoke screen--allowing SPD to appear in compliance with DOJ orders, while they continue to cover up the discrepancies in their version of the story. 

None of the statements made by the female witness were definitive--in fact she noted more than once that her view was obscured because she was in the back seat. All this additional evidence highlights is that the fact finding process is flawed. The Force Investigation Team that questioned the witnesses have a history of asking leading questions (as cited here, pg. 22), and the released audio footage only confirms that fact. 

Both within Seattle Police Department, and police departments across the country, there is a well-established pattern of excessive use of force against people of color. The question becomes what are we going to do to break that cycle? It is time for the officer involved in the shooting to be fired and charged with murder. We put this responsibility squarely on the shoulders of Chief O'Toole and Mayor Murray--and are calling on them to hold a City Council briefing to explain to the community what happened.

The NAACP remains disgusted by the mainstream media's one-sided portrayal of Che Taylor. The unnecessary level of specificity that media outlets have gone into about his history only serves to demonize him and perpetuate a narrative that he somehow deserved to be murdered. He was a human being, whose life was unjustly taken. The community remains united in our quest for answers and justice."

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Founded in 1909, the NAACP is the nation’s oldest and largest nonpartisan civil rights organization. Its members throughout the United States and the world are the premier advocates for civil rights in their communities. More information about the Seattle King County NAACP can be found here: www.seattlekingcountynaacp.org