Family demands justice after Antwon Cooper killed in officer-involved shooting: ‘He executed my grandson’

MIAMI – A household shares its lingering ache and frustration on Wednesday.  

Antwon Cooper’s household gathered on the intersection simply outdoors Miami Northwestern High School, the place Cooper was fatally shot.  The 34-year-old died in an officer-involved capturing three months in the past.

They held indicators along with his identify, chanting “no justice, no peace.”

“He was shot in the head,” cried Takisha Cooper, Antwon’s mother. “He was murdered.”

“They shoot him in the head,” mentioned Helen Bryant, Cooper’s grandmother. “He executed my grandson, and I want him locked up.”

On March 8, simply outdoors Miami Northwestern High School, Cooper was pulled over for a visitors cease by a Miami PD officer.  Cooper did not have his license.  The officer there requested him to step out of the automobile. 

Seconds later, Cooper makes an attempt to flee whereas being patted down.

“If we didn’t chase fleeing subjects, you might as well get rid of all the police and let people do what they want,” mentioned Miami Fraternal Order of Police President Tommy Reyes.

Reyes explains no driver’s ID was an arrestable offense.

Cooper’s attorneys say he tried to interrupt free from the battle with the officer.

Seconds later, Sgt. Constant Rosemond walks into the body of the physique cam video, gun already drawn and fires a deadly shot.

CBS4’s Joe Gorchow requested Reyes why an officer would use a gun over a taser in that state of affairs.

“Police officers have to make those decisions in split seconds to save their lives, the public’s lives, and save each other’s lives.”

Cooper’s household lawyer says fleeing a visitors cease is just not a capital crime and that officers modified their story about whether or not Cooper was carrying a firearm or left in the automobile. 

Reyes mentioned Cooper was a convicted felon who mustn’t have had a weapon.

“We don’t know yet why it keeps taking so long,” mentioned the household’s lawyer Rawsi Williams. “Justice demands that we will not go silent.”

And that is why a grieving household unites the place Cooper died, demanding solutions.

“Worst thing knowing how my grandson died is indescribable,” mentioned Melvin Bryant.

“See me with his shirt on,” expressed Cooper’s mother. “With my son’s name on it.  With his picture on it. He’s not going to go away.”

Cooper’s lawyer plan to file a federal lawsuit in opposition to the town of Miami and the officer accountable.

The attorneys name for better transparency.   They mentioned there’s extra footage than launched to the media.  And that the attorneys have been informed it was confidential as a result of ongoing investigation.

The Florida Department of Law Enforcement is conducting the investigation.

They offered an announcement to CBS4 with an replace.

“As each investigation is unique, we can’t offer a timeframe for completion… Our role is to determine the facts of the case. Once our investigation is complete, we present our findings to the state attorney’s office, who make any charging determinations.”