WILMINGTON, Del. (AP) - Protesters rallied outside the Delaware attorney general’s offices to demand an investigation into the February shooting and wounding of an unarmed teen suspected of carjacking.
About 40 people gathered outside the state building Friday in support of 18-year-old Yahim Harris, The News Journal of Wilmington reported. The state Department of Justice said last month that Wilmington police Cpl. James MacColl was justified in shooting Harris as he ran from a stolen vehicle Feb. 2.
MacColl believed the suspects were armed based on a 911 call and thought Harris had something in his hand when he extended his arm, according to a state report. A black cellphone case was found next to Harris and a loaded handgun was found underneath the car. DNA found on the gun didn’t match Harris or another teen who was in the stolen car, according to the report.
Terence Jones, a former Philadelphia police officer turned civil rights investigator who led an independent probe in the 2015 Baltimore death of Freddie Gray, spoke to protesters Friday. He said a review of surveillance video would reveal that Harris’ hand was empty when he was shot. Jones also contested other findings in the report, such as when and where MacColl was when he said he shot Harris.
The state Department of Justice is willing to meet with Harris’ family, spokesman Mat Marshall said. Harris’ mother, Jonda Brown, said she just heard from the justice department last week and hasn’t had time to meet with officials yet.
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