ACLU Sacramento expresses new 'concerns' over Twin Rivers Police shooting of 17-year-old youth

ACLU Sacramento expresses new 'concerns' over Twin Rivers Police shooting of 17-year-old youth; Board members will attend community meeting Thursday

SACRAMENTO – The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) of Sacramento today
said it is watching developments in a case surrounding the shooting of a17-year-old teen last month by a Twin Rivers police officer.

Today (Thursday) there is a meeting (5:30 p.m.) between law enforcement and community groups at 6040 Watt Ave near an elementary school in North Highlands. Sacramento ACLU board members will be available for comment at that time.

The Sacramento ACLU chapter – noting there has been a rash of Sacramento area police shootings in recent years, including that of an unarmed suspect handcuffed in a police car earlier in 2011 - said it has concerns about this particular police shooting because of conflicting statements by Twin Rivers Police following the shooting. He was allegedly reaching for a gun on the ground.

The Sacramento ACLU Chapter released this statement:

"The Sacramento ACLU will, as always, reserve judgment on this matter until all the facts are in...however, we are always concerned about the shooting of a suspect, and in this case the circumstances around the shooting (2 youths sitting in a park), and the young age of the victim bring additional questions. We encourage independent citizen review of such incidents. And the records of officers involved should be open for inspection for more public transparency. Police abuse continues to be a major concern, particularly in poor communities and communities of color."

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