Associated Press
PATERSON, N.J. — Protesters are calling for a New Jersey police department to release the name of an officer who shot a man “acting erratically” outside of a police station according to county prosecutors.
The Black Lives Matter protesters gathered outside of Paterson’s public safety complex on Monday to demand answers about the case.
“All we want is truth and transparency,” said Alexis Miller, a leader in Paterson’s BLM movement.
Passaic County prosecutors have not said whether the man was armed and what exactly prompted the female officer to open fire on Saturday evening. The man, identified by family and friends as 41-year-old Larry Bouie, was being treated at a hospital with a gunshot wound to the stomach.
Bouie’s brother, Greg Bouie, and his girlfriend, Tasha Wade, told The Record that the man needed help after his car battery died. Wade said he was “acting crazy” while calling for help.
Black Lives Matter members contend that Bouie was “an emotionally disturbed man.”
“Instead of de-escalating when called, officers instead escalate with violence, leaving the victim injured or worse,” said local BLM organizer Zellie Imani. “The shooting of Larry ‘Sincere’ Bouie highlights the importance of divesting from police and investing resources in black communities.”
Protesters have demanded that any video under review in the investigation be released to the public to ensure accountability.
The state Senate passed a bill last month that would require the state Attorney General’s office to investigate all shootings involving police. County prosecutors are currently responsible for such investigations.
Passaic County Prosecutor Camelia Valde has regularly declined to disclose the names of officers involved in shootings.
“They did something very wrong to my brother,” Greg Bouie said.
No criminal charges have been filed in the case as of Tuesday morning.