The head of the Charlotte branch of the NAACP is calling the shooting death of former Florida A&M football player Jonathan Ferrell at the hands of police "a brutal killing and execution."
According to MSNBC.com, the Rev. Kojo Nantambu added "there is no evidence that shows Jonathan Ferrell should have been shot at all, but for Officer Randall Kerrick to shoot 12 times indicates more than a reflex, it smells more of hatred and rage, which shows that Mr. Kerrick was predisposed in killing a black man and did so with extreme prejudice."
Kerrick has been charged with involuntary manslaughter and is now free on $50,000 bail. A probable cause hearing in the case is scheduled for Oct. 7.
Ferrell, who played safety at A&M during the 2009-10 seasons, first encountered police after crashing his car along a rural road in town, then staggering to nearby houses seeking help. A woman MSNBC has identified as Sarah McCartney, immediately called police with cries of an attempted break-in and can be be overheard on the 911 call she placed muttering "Please let them get him."
MSNBC reports that after spotting responding officers, Ferrell, 24, began running in their direction, apparently also seeking assistance, only to be Tasered by one of the two other officers who were accompanying Kerrick. After the victim allegedly kept coming, Kerrick pulled his weapon and shot him 10 times.
"The officer is white, Mr. Ferrell is black," Chrs Chestnut, the Ferrell family's attorney said during a press conference held on Monday. "I think this is more of a reflection of where we are as a country. That perhaps we need to stop, pause, regardless of race and become more sympathetic to each other."
Ferrell's family described him as an "everyday American," who worked two jobs to provide for his family, was engaged to be married and was an honor roll student at A&M studying chemistry.
Nantambu has vowed to lobby to have the charges filed against Kerrick upgraded to murder.
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