VANCOUVER, Wash. (AP) - The family of the Black man critically wounded by police in Clark County, Washington, is urging people not to protest about the shooting.
The Vancouver police department said in a release Saturday that Jenoah D. Donald, 30, remains hospitalized after being shot Thursday evening during a traffic stop in the Hazel Dell area.
The Vancouver NAACP branch also issued a statement Saturday on behalf of his family, saying that Donald would soon be removed from life support and they are preparing for his funeral.
“We ask you to listen to the needs and wants of the family of this Black man,” the statement said in part. “Any public demonstrations done at this time would be in direct violation of this family’s wishes.”
The family noted the numerous protests that have consumed downtown Portland, Oregon, since George Floyd died last May.
Instead, the NAACP statement asked people to pray for his shocked and grieving family, donate to his funeral expenses and demand transparency from the Clark County Sheriff Office and Vancouver Police Department, which is leading the Regional Independent Investigation Team probe.
Donald’s mother, Susan Zawacky, told OPB the family is still seeking answers about what happened.
“We’re just not getting answers,” Zawacky said. “I have about as much information as you do.”
The sheriff’s office said one of the four deputies involved opened fire but haven’t detailed what lead to the confrontation or shooting.
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