Demonstrators Hold Sit-In At North Miami Police Headquarters After Officer-Involved Shooting
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MIAMI (CBSMiami) – Demonstrators took their protest inside the North Miami Police Department Monday, one week to the day that Charles Kinsey was shot in the leg by police while with an autistic man.
It started with a sit-in just outside the headquarters, and then about 50 people walked inside.
"We'd like to file a complaint about the misuse of a firearm," Emmanuella Enemor said once the group got inside.
Enemor, the organizer of the protest, is angry after Kinsey was shot in the leg last Monday while with an autistic man, Arnaldo Rios.
Cellphone video shows Kinsey on the ground with his hands in the air. Rios had only a toy truck.
The PBA said police believed Rios was going to harm Kinsey and he was shot by accident.
Officer Jonathan Aledda is on administrative leave with pay.
"Tell me why you are doing this?" CBS4's Peter D'Oench asked Enemor.
"I'd like to see Jonathan Aledda convicted and fired," Enemor said.
Several echoed her desire to see Aledda fired from his job.
Police and the mayor said it's premature to take that sort of action so early in to the investigation.
While Enemor was initially told she could not file a complaint, Officer Natalie Buissereth started handing out blank pieces of paper for everyone to file what they wanted.
"They want to file a complaint like this. It is a free country and you can do this in America," Buissereth said.
Enemor was not satisfied.
"Why don't you like this?" D'Oench asked.
"It's not official. It's just a piece of paper to shut us up," she said.
Another protestor, Tim Ryan, said, "I am concerned about this process and the handling of names."
But police said all complaints filed this way will be investigated.
"This is the way this handled. You come down and file these complaints and they will go to a supervisor," Buissereth said.
Earlier, protestors spoke outside police headquarters.
"We don't have a good enough dialogue between ourselves and police officers to actually make some progress," Markale Adams said.
"I don't feel police have done enough. There should be a lot more training in how to deal with how to deal with multi-racial groups and minorities," Kelli Kerr added.
As far calls that officer Aledda be fired, Buissereth chimed in.
"You know once the case is over, once everything is done, then the discussion will be made and then we will speak. Now it is just speculation," Buissereth said.
"As Mayor, I can assure you that we are doing all we can to get those answers but this takes time," Mayor Smith Joseph said. "An investigation does not move at the speed of social media and cable news cycle."
Late Monday afternoon, North Miami police released all emails and voice messages on their handling of the case.
One person said, "You have a black mayor and yet your police are shooting innocent unarmed black people in the street. Explain that to me."
Protesters were not the only ones making their voices heard. The North Miami Police Department is being flooded with calls, emails and messages demanding answers and justice.
Kinsley and the man with autism who he was caring for both have a team of attorneys working for them.
Just last Thursday, Kinsey's attorneys sent a letter to the City of North Miami saying their client "has sustained extensive damages, humiliation and embarrassment..."
They also said that he's "...lost his capacity to enjoy life."
While the lawyers provide the legal help, the public seems to also have the two men's backs.
They've flooded the police department with calls and messages.
"I don't think that we want someone like that on the force to remain on the force."
"The idea that a trained police officer with years of service misfired because he was attempting to shoot someone who is disabled is not only disrespectful, disheartening but completely inappropriate."
"If you're scared of black people don't be a police officer if you're scared of Latinos don't become a police officer stop being cowards stop hiring cowards."
Quite a few parents with children with autism also left messages.
"I have an autistic son so if he has a meltdown apparently in your area the cops will just go ahead and shoot him."
"Hi as a parent with a child with autism I would strongly suggest you implement some training for your force in dealing with developmental disabilities such as autism."
"I'm a little concerned because I have a 12 almost 13 year old autistic daughter and she makes sudden movements. That autistic guy was sitting down on the ground holding a freaking toy."
Some of the messages were angry while others offered warnings...that the North Miami Police labeled a threat.
"Just curious how a guy laying on the ground and somebody shoots him. No one is saying anything but I'd hate for us to turn into the next Baton Rouge."
The North Miami Police Department has opened a hotline to address community concerns after this shooting. The number is (305) 547-8644.
