By Fletcher Word
The Truth Editor
Gerald Rose, founder and director of the New Order National Human Rights Organization, was in town last week to speak with members of the community, the Toledo police chief, the Toledo mayor and the family of the man who was gunned down on July 14 by police officers.
During a press conference on Wednesday, August 13, one day after his meeting with the Chief of Police Michael Troendle, Rose, joined by the family of Terrell Carter, announced that they were seeking a federal investigation into the incident, suspension of the officers involved, an overhaul of the Toledo Police Department’s use-of-force policies and independent civilian oversight of police conduct.
Rose and the Carter family met with the police chief on Tuesday, August 12, the day before the press conference and with Toledo Mayor Wade Kapszukiewicz, on Wednesday, the following day.
“Police are known to protect and serve,” said Rose at the outset of the press conference. “All police are not bad but I’m very concerned that we are treated differently.”
While the case is still under investigation, most of the details of the day of Terrell Carter’s death are known.
Early in the day, a call went into police headquarters describing a manic incident involving Carter. Carter’s sister called 911 to notify the police that her brother had pulled a gun on her and that he was mentally ill
So the police were informed that he was having a mental health issue. A second call later that evening to report that a man had a gun and he had fired it. The police responded, when they arrived at the scene, he fired a shot into the air.
Instead of trying to calm the situation the police fired. Four officers fired 73 shots, striking Carter 24 times – many of the shots were fired after he was on the ground.
“The problem is what happened after,” said Ebony Carter, Terrell’s sister, during the press conference.
Several days later, TPD put out statements mischaracterizing what had happened that night. The chief reported that Carter has shot at the police officers.
“Whatever policy is in place that makes you have a press conference two days later and put out false information?” asked Ebony Carter. “Our community [does] not get our day in court.”
Ebony Carter added that there are two issues in this matter of police. “First mental illness is real and we have to deal with it; second, the racial overtones.”
Rose issued a statement the following day about his meeting with the mayor. “Our meeting with the mayor’s office was very productive. They plan to look at the policies and procedures when it comes to police shootings.”