The family of a man recently killed by a Richmond police officer held a community meeting this weekend. Hundreds came to show their support and outrage. The meeting comes after police released a video of the shooting. The body camera footage is graphic and shows a violent encounter.
24-year-old Marcus David Peters, a teacher and VCU graduate, crawls out of his car and runs unto the highway. He’s naked and rolls around on the ground.
Officer Michael Nyantakyi, who was the only officer at the scene at the time, can be heard saying “seems to be mentally unstable.”
Peters, who moments before was struck by a car, sits up and notices the Nyantakyi. The officer backs away, holding out his taser. Peters stands and starts to approach Nyantakyi, cursing and saying “Put the taser down or I’ll kill you.”
Nyantakyi tries to taser Peters, but only one of the prongs makes contact and Peters keeps closing in. Nyantakyi pulls out his gun and shoots Peters twice at close range.
In an unusual move, Richmond police have made the video public. Chief Alfred Durham explained his decision at a press conference Friday.
“There has been so much misinformation and speculation out there about what actually happened,” Durham said. “I feel that it is my duty and responsibility as the chief of police to let everyone see it in the interest of transparency.”
But citing an ongoing investigation, Durham didn’t answer questions on protocol, whether the officer had Mace on him, or when exactly EMS was called. He did say officers receive only 40 hours of mental health training, compared to the years of training a psychologist would receive.
“We’re wearing a lot of hats ladies and gentleman. And when incidents come like this and folks just want to beat us up without having the facts. That hurts ladies and gentleman,” Durham said. “It hurts the morale of the men and women of my department. And it hurts me.”
At times defensive, and at other times emotional, Durham says he only wished the department could have helped Peters.
“We could not help him that day, and for that I am truly sorry,” he said.
Peters was one of twelve children. His sister, Princess Blanding, has acted as the spokeswoman for the family. They saw the video earlier this week.
Blanding held her own press conference Friday, standing on the steps of a church and surrounded by friends and family. She insists police could have helped her brother.
“Marcus was unarmed, clearly in distress and in need of help, and instead of receiving help he received two fatal bullets,” Blanding said.
She says her brother had shown no signs of mental illness before.
“Marcus was a son, he was a believer in God. Marcus was a brother, an uncle, a teacher, a mentor. Marcus was an awesome person,” she said.
Blanding is calling for the officer responsible to be held accountable. Nyantakyi is currently on paid leave while an internal unit investigates. The Commonwealth’s Attorney will decide whether deadly use of force was justified.
Regardless that outcome, Blanding says she’ll continue to advocate for changes to Richmond police protocol. Working with local social justice organizations, the family is planning a march in Richmond next Saturday.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9_by1fFSO38&t=446s
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FKfBspHnaO0&feature=youtu.be
This report, provided by Virginia Public Radio, was made possible with support from the Virginia Education Association.
Updated Sunday May 27, 3 p.m.