Justice For Tymar Crawford

 

Source: Dream Defenders, Pensacola, Facebook

Source: Dream Defenders, Pensacola, Facebook

According to information provided to the Pensacola News Journal by the Pensacola Police Department and comments given by Pensacola Mayor Grover Robinson, the Florida Department of Law Enforcement is investigating the shooting death of Tymar Crawford.

According to the Pensacola Police Department, Tymar Crawford was shot by police following a traffic stop for suspected marijuana use. Subsequent to the stop, it is alleged by the PPD that Tymar Crawford disarmed one of the officers. Crawford was then shot and later died in hospital on July 5, 2019.  Fox10 reported that Crawford was eventually stopped and shot "in Crawford's own front yard."

The Pensacola Police Department's depiction of the incident varies considerably from the version presented by family and residents to WEAR TV Channel 3 News. Kimberley Henderson, Crawford's girlfriend, told WEAR that Crawford was not fighting with the police.  In her version, Crawford had his hands up when four officers began punching him, four officers tasered him, and then he was shot when he was unarmed.  According to WEAR, Henderson's teenage son witnessed the incident.  It is not clear if Henderson herself was a witness.

However, a neighbor, Annie Walker, told WEAR that "to me it was murder."  Crawford's mother, Charnell Palmer, plans to sue the Pensacola Police Department, according to the WEAR report.

Sarah Brummet of the Liberation newspaper also reported from the scene of the shooting.  Brummet reported: "Multiple witnesses contradicted this [official police] story, insisting in conversations with this reporter that Crawford had his hands up when he was shot to death by the police. Despite the presence of several eyewitnesses who contradict their official narrative, the police have fabricated an alternate scenario in an attempt to justify this atrocity, and the local media has reported that version of the events unquestioningly."

Mayor Robinson assured residents living in the vicinity of C Street and Brainerd that the police camera footage and their eyewitness statements would be included in a "thorough" FDLE investigation.  County Commissioner Lumon May and City Council member Jewel Cannada-Wynn were also on the scene with the mayor.

Thus, this officer involved shooting already has a high profile within the Pensacola mayor's office.

The community has responded to the shooting death by holding a "Justice for Tymar Crawford" march to the Pensacola Police Department on July 15th.  According to the Facebook page, the march was co-sponsored by the Answer Coalition and the Pensacola chapter of Dream Defenders

It is anticipated that community support for the Palmer family will continue and increase.

Political pressure on the mayor and city council may also increase to ensure not only that this investigation is thorough and transparent, but also that the community's distrust of the police and anger at general police mistreatment are also addressed.

The Facebook page of the Pensacola chapter of Dream Defenders published the Palmer family's demands [see above graphic] which specifically requires city and police responses.

Dream Defenders has also scheduled a "Pensacola People's Assembly" at the Fricker Center on Friday, July 26, 2019, at 1830h [see above graphic].  For more information on how you can become involved, see the Dream Defenders' Facebook page.