Killed so far in 2018: 14
Last update: October 2nd 2018.
A very incomplete list of unarmed Black people killed by police so far in the US in 2018:
Those I have done posts on have a bolded link.
format: date: name, age, town, state, cause of death.
- January 20th 2018: Arther McAfee Jr, 61, Longview, TX, Gunshot.
- February 13th 2018: Ronnell Foster, 33, Vallejo, CA, Gunshot.
- March 14th 2018: Shermichael Ezeff, 31, Baton Rouge, LA, Gunshot.
- March 15th 2018: Cameron Hall, 27, Casa Grande, AZ, Gunshot.
- March 18th 2018: Stephon Clark, 23, Sacramento, CA, Gunshot.
- March 22nd 2018: Danny Thomas, 35, Greenspoint, TX, Gunshot.
- April 8th 2018: Juan Markee Jones, 25, Danville, VA, Gunshot.
- May 14th 2018: Marcus-David L. Peters, 24, Richmond, VA, Taser.
- June 11th 2018: Robert Lawrence White, 41, Silver Spring, MD, Gunshot.
- June 19th 2018: Antwon Rose, 17, East Pittsburgh, PA, Gunshot.
- June 20th 2018: Anthony Marcell Green, 33, Kingsland, GA, Gunshot.
- July 7th 2018: Rashaun Washington, 37, Vineland, NJ, Gunshot.
- July 27th 2018: Cynthia Fields, 60, Savannah, GA, Gunshot.
- September 6th 2018: Botham Jean, 26, Dallas, TX, Gunshot.
For now I am following the Washington Post database. Be warned that their overall number of unarmed Blacks killed seems suspiciously low. They count holding toy guns and shower heads as being “armed”.
If you know of any police killings of unarmed Black people by the police in 2018, please tell me in the comments below. Thanks!
I will update this post throughout the year.
– Abagond, 2018.
Source: Washington Post.
See also:
- This same list in: 2015, 2016, 2017
- The extremely incomplete list of unarmed Blacks killed by police – for those killed since 1964. It has maybe a tenth of all such cases – the tip of the iceberg.
- Lynching statistics by race and year: 1882-1968
- Phantom Negro Weapon
How does this compare with all people killed?
Have these killings been investigated?
On the entire police forces of the United States how many police do you think are actually “basic killers”?
Just looking for an excuse to kill.
Have performed more than one killing? (career killers)
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Just learned of young Antwon Rose. The madness continues my heart is heavy.
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Most of these police are just very scary. If you are that easily scared, then why did you become a police officer in the first place. I mean, most, if not all of the time, you have a bullet-proof vest on. Look, and think, before you shoot.
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Reading this reminded me of a recent incident that supposedly happened on or about June 17. No one was killed; but I think this one incident will haunt me for a long time:
https://www.yahoo.com/lifestyle/cut-hair-woman-struggles-officer-video-shockingly-violent-arrest-200801337.html
I then read about Antwon Rose.
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Just read an article that explores a contributing factor to this murder and mayhem: militarized police. Ebony Slaughter-Johnson described how in the USA , police and policymakers see citizens as combatants instead of their employers. Slaughter-Johnson notes:
https://www.nakedcapitalism.com/2018/06/growth-americas-militarized-law-enforcement-system-product-war-economy.html
This situation is also known as blow-back. Endless war eventually comes home to people who keep it going.
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Thurman Blevins was killed by police in Minneapolis on Saturday, the 23rd. Police say he had a gun. Some witnesses disagree. There is body camera video which the police have yet to make public. So I am waiting on the video.
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This slow genocide by the conservo-fascist, nazi-inspired police state formerly known as the USA is just ramping up. The white majority is so afraid of ceding power that God only knows what is next. Especially if the Democrats don’t take back congress this November. If we have even a sliver of a chance of reversing the policies thst enable these shootings to continue, it lies with getting the Republicans OUT of power and putting IN progressive Democrats.
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Added:
June 20th 2018: Anthony Marcell Green, 33, Kingsland, GA, Gunshot.
July 7th 2018: Rashaun Washington, 37, Vineland, NJ, Gunshot.
July 27th 2018: Cynthia Fields, 60, Savannah, GA, Gunshot.
September 6th 2018: Botham Jean, 26, Dallas, TX, Gunshot.
Note that the Washington Post does not count Botham Jean, presumably because the officer was off-duty at the time of the shooting.
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as a source, i would suggest you use killedbypolice.net – much more thorough. your current number of 14 is closer to the number of antiblack police murders per month, not per year. even though the project stopped in july i think it will be revealing if you’ve been relying on wapo’s numbers.
you may also want to just count black people killed by [u.s.] police without the “unarmed” qualifier since being armed doesn’t justify being killed, but that’s up to you.
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@ better source to use
Thank you. The Washington Post does not even count Botham Jean.
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Jemel Robertson? I read about his murder, but I don’t know if he was unarmed
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@ Alberto Monteiro
He was armed, although the reason he had a gun was because he was a security guard at the business where he was killed.
Abagond said on the Open Thread that he will be doing a post about this soon.
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What about the 18 million killed since 1973? What about the amount of rapes black people have committed, just this year?
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@researchal
“What about the 18 million killed since 1973?”
The title of the thread is Unarmed Black Americans killed by police in 2018. If you’re looking to discuss the millions of unarmed Black Americans killed by Whites over the years, you’re in the wrong thread.
“What about the amount of rapes black people have committed, just this year?”
Again… that discussion would be no more relevant to this thread than discussing all the mass-shooting incidents perpetrated by Whites this year.
Unless, of course, your position is that if an individual commits rape then everyone within that race must be gunned down by police. Since the majority of rapes (57%) are committed by Whites, you’re argument still feels off-topic because this is a thread about unarmed Black people being killed by police.
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@ researchal
What “18 million” are you referring to?
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@Afrofem
I believe researchal was trying to troll by leveraging an abortion statistic that made the rounds of conservative/racist propaganda.
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@ Open Minded Observer
Not surprising.
The same type of lies that created the murderous Dylan Roof.
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For the so-called people who believe this BS, note:
1. Nearly all shootings by police are investigated by a local prosecuting attorney–who have nothing to lose in prosecuting cops, And in some communities actually profit by these prosecutions, i.e., they get REelected.
2. Even if the local prosecutor clears them anyone, and I mean anyone, can complain to the FBI who are REQUIRED to investigate for possible Human Rights Violations as they did in the Rodney King case.
3. To the moron who thought it was “because they (the cops) were scared, you are partly right because even cops are entitled to “self preservation,” i.e., same as anybody else…
4. About 98% of all police organizations have rules to prohibit shooting “just because you are scared.” You MUST be in fear of your life and you have to make your reasons stand up in court. Usually, befor a jury of citizens (many like the dead person,) hate cops, and/or a judge who also profits by prosecuting cops.
5. Finally; if you were not there the simple problem you have is YOU DO NOT KNOW WHAT HAPPENED.
PS – Nearly 100% of the people killed have arrest records going back to an age of about 14 years old. The Point? The cops Know these men are dangerous–who often have a record of killings of their own, and in states like California all you have to do is claim some kind of “prejudice” and there is an automatic gift of $100,000 for any family of a criminal killed by police. Easy money.
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What’s your point?
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“…claim some kind of “prejudice” and there is an automatic gift of $100,000 for any family of a criminal killed by police. Easy money.”
Easy money for whom, exactly? The police who dodge accoutability for their actions or local taxpayers who pony up cash to cover those same police?
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@ptsdfordummies: An empty barrel makes the most noise.
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And where’s the context? Are these like Fergusson, where people rioted because a police officer acted in self-defense? And why only blacks?
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Atatianna Jefferson, 28 years old killed in her home in Fort Worth Texas. Black folks are not safe in their homes. Neighbor called in a wellness check and white male officer shot her. What does one get shot during a wellness check?
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*Why does one get shot during wellness check *
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@ Mary Burrell
I just looked up this news story. Her 8-year-old nephew was playing video games with her right before the shooting. This is horrible.
Why didn’t the police go knock at her door and announce themselves instead of prowling around her backyard?
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@ Solitaire
I don’t understand it makes no sense.
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RIP Atatianna Jefferson.
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This is so incredibly sad and infuriating.
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Perhaps the Fire Department should have been called instead of the police. At least they don’t have guns. There are many black people on social media saying the elderly black neighbor who called the police is to blame for Atatianna Jefferson’s death. I personally wouldn’t be putting my life in danger going in someone’s home especially if something is dangerous. The police officer and his incompetence is to blame.
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Botham Jean was eating ice cream in his apartment before he was killed. Atatianna Jefferson was playing video games with her 8 year old nephew and the cop shot her through the window. Like Mr. Jean she had a bright future ahead and would have made positive contributions to society. Untrained and incompetent police officer is to blame for her death. Will there be hugs and absolution for this murderer.
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Will there be hugs and absolution for this murderer?
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The demonization of the latest victim of police shooting has started. Even though she posed no threat, the news media is saying they found a gun in the home.
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@ Mary Burrell
Isn’t Texas an open carry state?
A gun in someone’s home should be no big deal in TX, if some people in the state are wearing hip holsters with loaded guns in public.
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@Afrofem
Yes Texas is an open and carry state. But it is wash, rinse, repeat, especially in the death of black people. I didn’t understand why a gun was even mentioned in the story. The mainstream media always likes to demonize
the dead black victim. Botham Jean and now Atatianna Jefferson could be any of us just in our homes or apartments etc…just trying to live.
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@ Mary Burrell
“…just trying to live.”
In a country that just wants us to die.
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My heart is heavy especially for Atatianna Jefferson’s young nephew. They were enjoying a night of playing video games before she was killed. That poor child must be so traumatized.
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News media is also saying that the police parked way down where their cruiser wasn’t visible from the house, proceeded on foot to the residence, and began prowling around the backyard.
The police didn’t go to the front door to knock and announce themselves.
Apparently she heard noises and looked out a back bedroom window to see what was happening. It was around 2 in the morning and reasonable to be afraid. If the gun was in fact hers and not planted by the cops, she had it for self-defense. She had no way of knowing those weren’t burglars or rapists on her property.
I read that the man who called the non-emergency number is blaming himself. He is quoted in the local newspaper at length and sounds like he is in agony over this. He just wanted to make sure she and her nephew were safe.
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@Solitaire
The police and their incompetence are responsible for this young woman’s death.
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Atatiana’s father said “ I don’t want no hugs.”
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@ Mary Burrell
“The police and their incompetence are responsible for this young woman’s death.”
I agree entirely. A senior citizen shouldn’t have to go check on his neighbor himself at 2 in the morning when he sees something of concern. He should be able to call the police with faith that they will act correctly and competently instead of gunning a young woman down in her own home.
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“A senior citizen shouldn’t have to go check on his neighbor himself at 2 in the morning when he sees something of concern.”
The police will clearly kill people that seek their assistance. This is not the first incident and it will not be the last until there’s an alternative. Their sole purpose appears to be enforcing government restrictions on liberty.
Police/civilian interactions are inherently unsafe for the civilians, infinitely less safe for people of color. I would never voluntarily invoke the police for any situation involving any POC neighbors of mine. But, who does one call? An alternative is needed. A group of less racist 1st responders that are not indoctrinated to shoot 1st and ask questions later. Folks that genuinely desire to protect and serve and for whom saving the life of another might be worth something instead of being solely focused on collecting a check and getting home safe.
Rural places have volunteer/on-call fire departments, groups of citizens who live in the community that are dispatched to fires and medical emergencies affecting their own neighbors. Maybe it’s time to startup on-call security to help out with the initial response to things like welfare checks, prowlers, “suspicious” people/cars/kids, noise complaints, etc… I don’t know… I’m 100% confident more innocent bodies will keep piling up if nothing changes though.
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Even under Covid-19, rogue police agents, vigilantes and other killers are finding time and spirit to attack their usual victims! See, https://edition.cnn.com/2020/05/08/us/ahmaud-arbery-shooting-citizens-arrest-blake/index.html
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