Call for release of body camera footage in police shooting death of Jakarta Jackson in Rock Island, IL
Statement from Romanucci & Blandin and Ben Crump Law:
“Romanucci & Blandin and Ben Crump Law represent the mother of Jakarta Jackson's young daughter, and in her name and all of those who cared about Jakarta Jackson, we come forward with a list of urgent questions and demands for Rock Island Police. Twenty-one-year-old Jakarta was tragically shot and killed by Rock Island Police on January 5—yet another young Black man to die at the hands of police. Our office has already issued a Freedom of Information Act request for any and all body camera footage and dashboard camera footage of the killing. It has been over 10 days since Jakarta was killed. We are still waiting. We demand the immediate release of that footage, and the transparency that comes with it, so this grieving family and the Rock Island community can know the truth of what happened. What do the police have to hide? This family and this community—who the Rock Island police are sworn to serve—are entitled to see the truth of what the officers did to Jakarta. We cannot blindly trust the police department’s narrative. We have serious questions that must be answered about the use of deadly force in this encounter. We believe every life is precious and that all who cared about Jakarta wish deeply that he was still alive today."
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ABOUT BEN CRUMP LAW
Through his work, nationally renowned civil rights and personal injury attorney Ben Crump has spearheaded a legal movement to better protect the rights of marginalized citizens. He has led landscape-changing civil rights cases and represented clients in a wide range of areas including civil rights, personal injury, labor and employment, class actions, and more. Ben Crump Law is dedicated to holding the powerful accountable. For more information, visit bencrump.com.
About Romanucci & Blandin, LLC
Romanucci & Blandin is a Chicago-based national trial practice committed to fighting for victims of negligence, abuse and wrongful death through impact litigation. For more than 25 years, we have secured more than $1 billion in verdicts and settlements for our clients - many for millions of dollars or record-setting awards. Our experience ranges from mass shootings, civil rights and police misconduct to medical malpractice, sexual abuse, motor vehicle accidents or workplace injury cases involving individual or institutional negligence. Romanucci & Blandin is a valuable legal resource to individuals and groups of people who have been injured by others’ wrongdoing. Referring attorneys and clients say several factors distinguish our firm: Our record of success, depth of experience, talented and dedicated legal team, tireless preparation, and strategic use of communications to fight for the rights of those whose lives have been changed forever. We differ from other personal injury firms in that our work does not stop when a verdict or settlement is secured. Our clients’ experiences often inspire us to commit resources to transforming lives and communities. For more information about Romanucci & Blandin, please visit: www.rblaw.net.
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