A mom in Mississippi is calling for just action to be taken after an incident where her 11-year-old son had called 911 and—instead of receiving help—was shot by the officer who arrived.
Nakala Murry had asked her son Aderrien to call 911 when her ex-boyfriend came to her home as things got out of line.
Instead, the officer showed up with his gun already drawn and fired into Aderrien's chest when the 11-year-old came around the corner from his bedroom into the living room at the request of the officer.
You can see news coverage here:
The family's attorney said Aderrien suffered a collapsed lung, lacerated liver and fractured ribs.
Nakala Murry shared:
“He ran to me. He was bleeding. I held him."
“He bled out the mouth. Every time I close my eyes, I see it.”
The officer was suspended as an investigation began.
Aderrien was sent home from the hospital, "physically still in pain, but...happy to be alive." Murry plans to bring suit against the officer, the city and the city's police chief.
People were happy Aderrien is still alive, against the odds.
\u201c@Esquiremoore I don't know your client, but after reading the news on what transpired I wanted to express how happy I am that he's alive and back home.\u201d— Attorney Carlos Moore (@Attorney Carlos Moore) 1685036422
\u201c@Esquiremoore \ud83d\ude4fso glad he's alive. Sadly he's forever traumatized by the cop shooting him.\u201d— Attorney Carlos Moore (@Attorney Carlos Moore) 1685036422
\u201c@Esquiremoore Thank God that he is alive. Thank you for working toward Justice for him and his mother. Things like this have to stop.\u201d— Attorney Carlos Moore (@Attorney Carlos Moore) 1685036422
\u201c@Esquiremoore Thank God he's alive. The cop that shot him needs to be punished. May this innocent child remain strong and overcome this horrible accident mentally and physically.\u201d— Attorney Carlos Moore (@Attorney Carlos Moore) 1685036422
People were justifiably outraged.
\u201c@Esquiremoore This is insane! Everyone should be outraged by this. This is so tragic!\u201d— Attorney Carlos Moore (@Attorney Carlos Moore) 1685036422
The outrage was placed firmly on law enforcement—both the individual officer and law enforcement in American society.
\u201c@cwebbonline The cop was probably counting on the kid not surviving so he could claim the kid was threatening him. I'm glad Aderrien is okay, and I hope his family gets justice.\u201d— Christopher Webb (@Christopher Webb) 1685118177
\u201c@cwebbonline @Papi_B_Dubs Seriously what adult would think they were going to get shot by the police they called, never mind a child. It\u2019s infuriating \ud83d\ude21\u201d— Christopher Webb (@Christopher Webb) 1685118177
\u201c@Imposter_Edits How is that possible?! \nIsn't the police supposed to protect people? \nWhat "excuse" did they have? Did they even bother with one?\nThis makes me sick to my stomach.\u201d— \ud83e\udd40_Imposter \ud83e\udd40 (@\ud83e\udd40_Imposter \ud83e\udd40) 1685033419
\u201c@Imposter_Edits Long past time we put to bed the \u201csplit-second decisions\u201d defense. If you\u2019re shooting without thinking that\u2019s the problem.\u201d— \ud83e\udd40_Imposter \ud83e\udd40 (@\ud83e\udd40_Imposter \ud83e\udd40) 1685033419
Someone pointed out training for police in the USA continues to be a lot shorter than other countries.
\u201c@Imposter_Edits 18-21 weeks to be policeman in the US; other countries 2 to 3 years. Most western countries you need a university level degree, in US most forces require only a high-school diploma. Firearms training US: 71 hrs, de-escalating a situation: just 21 hrs. You reap what you sow. GIGO\u201d— \ud83e\udd40_Imposter \ud83e\udd40 (@\ud83e\udd40_Imposter \ud83e\udd40) 1685033419
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\u201c@Imposter_Edits The most Mississippi thing ever. The most American thing ever.\u201d— \ud83e\udd40_Imposter \ud83e\udd40 (@\ud83e\udd40_Imposter \ud83e\udd40) 1685033419
\u201c@Imposter_Edits Just another day in the states\u2026\ud83e\udd7a\u201d— \ud83e\udd40_Imposter \ud83e\udd40 (@\ud83e\udd40_Imposter \ud83e\udd40) 1685033419
Aderrien is home and recovering.
His family and the community are demanding police release the unedited bodycam footage.