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Beavercreek Police Sgt. David M. Darkow

Perpetrator

Victim

Date:

2014-08-05

Location:

Beavercreek, Ohio

 


What happened:

A white Ohio police officer fatally shot a black man, John Crawford III, in a Walmart store on August 5 2014 after Crawford took a bb/pellet gun off a Walmart store shelf.  Williams and his partner were called to the store after someone made a 911 call claiming someone was waving a rifle in the air of the store. Officer Williams later claimed he believed he faced an “imminent threat”, although he acknowledges he and his partner didn’t observe anyone running, screaming or in pain and didn’t hear or smell gunfirenever. Moreover, he never saw Crawford point (what turned out to be a pellet gun) or threaten anyone.  Additionally, Ohio is an “open carry state”.   Crawford was only 22 years of age when murdered and left behind two sons- nearly 2-year-old John Henry IV and 5-month-old Jayden.

Another Walmart shopper Angela Williams, 37, who worked at a Springfield nursing home, died of a heart condition after Officer Williams fired his weapon and she tried to flee the store.

Williams, a nine-year veteran on the force, was involved in Beavercreek’s first fatal police-involved shooting on June 27, 2010.  In that shooting, Williams shot and killed retired Air Force Master Sgt. Scott A. Brogli, 45, after the man allegedly charged him and another officer while carrying a large kitchen knife. Brogli died from a single gunshot wound to the chest, as his 17-year-old son watched the incident unfold.


About The Perpetrator:

David M. Darkow is a white male police officer sergeant with the Beavercreek Police Department.


About The Victim:

John Crawford III, an African American male, was only 22 years of age when murdered and left behind two sons- nearly 2-year-old John Henry IV and 5-month-old Jayden.


Outcome:

The DOJ Civil Rights Division and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for Southern Ohio conducted an investigation and informed the public on July 11, 2017 that evidence from their investigation was “insufficient to prove, beyond a reasonable doubt, that Officer Williams violated [Crawford’s] federal civil rights. As a result, a grand jury in Greene County declined to indict Officer Williams on charges of reckless homicide or negligent homicide.

Officer Williams was placed on desk duty after the shooting but was immediately placed back on full active duty at the conclusion of the DOJ investigation per the Beavercreek Police Chief’s orders.

John Crawford III’s family has filed a civil suit which is ongoing.  The initial civil lawsuit, filed in U.S. District Court in Dayton by members of Crawford’s family, listed 17 counts against the defendants, ranging from assault and battery against the officers directly involved in the shooting, to negligent training and supervision against Evers and the city of Beavercreek, to negligence against Wal-Mart, as well as other charges. In the lawsuit documents, the family asked for a jury trial and compensatory damages in excess of $75,000.


Sources:

Ohio Police Officer Who Shot and Killed Black 22yo Says He Faced Imminent Threat;  Officer Who Killed Walmart Shopper Carrying Air Rifle Won't Face Federal Charges;  Beavercreek Police Officer Darkow Back On Job;  Beavercreek Officer Who Shot John Crawford III Back on 'Full Duty';  Beavercreek Officers Granted Third Lawsuit Delay; 

Perpetrator: Ronald Ritchie – 911 Caller claimed Crawford pointed gun at people

Perpetrator

Victim

Date:

August 5 2004

Location:

Beavercreek, Ohio


What happened:

A white Ohio police officer, Sean Williams, fatally shot a black man, John Crawford III, in a Walmart store on August 5 2014 after Crawford took a bb/pellet gun off a Walmart store shelf. Williams and his partner were called to the store after someone made a 911 call claiming someone was waving a rifle in the air of the store. Officer Williams later claimed he believed he faced an “imminent threat”, although he acknowledges he and his partner didn’t observe anyone running, screaming or in pain and didn’t hear or smell gunfirenever. Moreover, he never saw Crawford point (what turned out to be a pellet gun) or threaten anyone. Additionally, Ohio is an “open carry state”. Crawford was only 22 years of age when murdered and left behind two sons- nearly 2-year-old John Henry IV and 5-month-old Jayden. Ronald Ritchie, a white man, was the person who called 911 and originally told the dispatcher that Crawford pointed the rifle at two children, which the footage disproves. Ritchie, of Riverside, was the only person to call 911 before shots were fired at the store. Ronald Ritchie later clarified to the Guardian in an interview that “at no point did he shoulder the rifle and point it at somebody”, stressing instead that Crawford had been “waving it around” and that the muzzle had moved in the direction of others shoppers. Again, Ohio is an “open carry state”.


About The Perpetrator:


About The Victim:


Outcome:

Fairborn Municipal Court Judge Beth Root reviewed the filings, including surveillance video synchronized with the 911 recording, and ruled there was sufficient evidence to prosecute Ritchie for misdemeanor making false alarms. She then referred the case for further review by a prosecutor, Mark E. Piepmeier. Piepmeier, in turn presented the shooting case to a grand jury, which had authority to bring charges against Ritchie if they thought it was warranted. However, Piepmeier stated,’I don’t find any evidence that Mr. Ritchie knew any of the information he was providing was false.’ Witnesses believe the prosecutor ignored video segments that indicate Crawford wasn’t doing what the caller described at certain moments, culminating in a grand jury decision that did not hold Rictchie accountable. It was noted that after the grand jury’s decision, Piepmeier had publicly described Ritchie as someone ‘trying to be a good citizen.

Source:


Ronald Ritchie is a white man.

Victim: John Crawford

Perpetrator

Victim

Date:

August 5 2014

Location:

Beavercreek, Ohio


What happened:

John Crawford III was an African American 22 year old patronizing a Walmart Store. A white Ohio police officer fatally shot a black man, John Crawford III, in a Walmart store on August 5 2014 after Crawford took a bb/pellet gun off a Walmart store shelf. Williams and his partner were called to the store after someone made a 911 call claiming someone was waving a rifle in the air of the store. Officer Williams later claimed he believed he faced an “imminent threat”, although he acknowledges he and his partner didn’t observe anyone running, screaming or in pain and didn’t hear or smell gunfirenever. Moreover, he never saw Crawford point (what turned out to be a pellet gun) or threaten anyone. Additionally, Ohio is an “open carry state”. Crawford was only 22 years of age when murdered and left behind two sons- nearly 2-year-old John Henry IV and 5-month-old Jayden. Another Walmart shopper Angela Williams, 37, who worked at a Springfield nursing home, died of a heart condition after Officer Williams fired his weapon and she tried to flee the store. Williams, a nine-year veteran on the force, was involved in Beavercreek’s first fatal police-involved shooting on June 27, 2010. In that shooting, Williams shot and killed retired Air Force Master Sgt. Scott A. Brogli, 45, after the man allegedly charged him and another officer while carrying a large kitchen knife. Brogli died from a single gunshot wound to the chest, as his 17-year-old son watched the incident unfold.


About The Perpetrator:

David M. Darkow is a white male police officer sergeant with the Beavercreek Police Department.


About The Victim:

John Crawford III, an African American male, was only 22 years of age when murdered and left behind two sons- nearly 2-year-old John Henry IV and 5-month-old Jayden.


Outcome:

The DOJ Civil Rights Division and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for Southern Ohio conducted an investigation and informed the public on July 11, 2017 that evidence from their investigation was “insufficient to prove, beyond a reasonable doubt, that Officer Williams violated [Crawford’s] federal civil rights. As a result, a grand jury in Greene County declined to indict Officer Williams on charges of reckless homicide or negligent homicide. Officer Williams was placed on desk duty after the shooting but was immediately placed back on full active duty at the conclusion of the DOJ investigation per the Beavercreek Police Chief’s orders. John Crawford III’s family has filed a civil suit which is ongoing.


Sources:

Ohio Police Officer Who Shot and Killed Black 22yo Says He Faced 'Immenent Threat';  Officer Who Killed Walmart Shopper Carrying Air Rifle Won't Face Federal Charges;  Beavercreek Police Officer Darkow Back On Job;  Beavercreek Officer Who Shot John Crawford III Back on 'Full Duty';  Beavercreek Officers Granted Third Lawsuit Delay in Crawford Case; 

Officer Sean Williams

Perpetrator

Victim

Date:

August 5 2014

Location:

Beavercreek, Ohio


What happened:

A white Ohio police officer fatally shot a black man, John Crawford III, in a Walmart store on August 5 2014 after Crawford took a bb/pellet gun off a Walmart store shelf. Williams and his partner were called to the store after someone made a 911 call claiming someone was waving a rifle in the air of the store. Officer Williams later claimed he believed he faced an “imminent threat”, although he acknowledges he and his partner didn’t observe anyone running, screaming or in pain and didn’t hear or smell gunfire ever. Moreover, he never saw Crawford point (what turned out to be a pellet gun) or threaten anyone. Additionally, Ohio is an “open carry state”. Crawford was only 22 years of age when murdered and left behind two sons- nearly 2-year-old John Henry IV and 5-month-old Jayden. Another Walmart shopper Angela Williams, 37, who worked at a Springfield nursing home, died of a heart condition after Officer Williams fired his weapon and she tried to flee the store. Williams, a nine-year veteran on the force, was involved in Beavercreek’s first fatal police-involved shooting on June 27, 2010. In that shooting, Williams shot and killed retired Air Force Master Sgt. Scott A. Brogli, 45, after the man allegedly charged him and another officer while carrying a large kitchen knife. Brogli died from a single gunshot wound to the chest, as his 17-year-old son watched the incident unfold.


About The Perpetrator:

Sean Williams is a white male.


About The Victim:

John Crawford III, an African American male, was only 22 years of age when murdered and left behind two sons- nearly 2-year-old John Henry IV and 5-month-old Jayden.


Outcome:

The DOJ Civil Rights Division and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for Southern Ohio conducted an investigation and informed the public on July 11, 2017 that evidence from their investigation was “insufficient to prove, beyond a reasonable doubt, that Officer Williams violated [Crawford’s] federal civil rights. As a result, a grand jury in Greene County declined to indict Officer Williams on charges of reckless homicide or negligent homicide. Officer Williams was placed on desk duty after the shooting but was immediately placed back on full active duty at the conclusion of the DOJ investigation per the Beavercreek Police Chief’s orders.

John Crawford III’s family has filed a civil suit which is ongoing. The initial civil lawsuit, filed in U.S. District Court in Dayton by members of Crawford’s family, listed 17 counts against the defendants, ranging from assault and battery against the officers directly involved in the shooting, to negligent training and supervision against Evers and the city of Beavercreek, to negligence against Wal-Mart, as well as other charges. In the lawsuit documents, the family asked for a jury trial and compensatory damages in excess of $75,000.


Sources:

Ohio Police Officer Who Shot and Killed Black 22yo Says He Faced 'Iminent Threat';  Beavercreek Officer Who Shot John Crawford III back on 'Full Duty';  Officer Who Killed Walmart Shopper Carrying Air Rifle Won't Face Federal Charges;  Beavercreek Police Officer Darkow Back on Job;  Beavercreek Officers Granted Third Lawsuit Delay; 

Officer Stephen Roach

Perpetrator

Victim

Date:

2001-04-07

Location:

Cincinnati, Ohio


What happened:

In April of 2001, Thomas- an unarmed black 19-year-old- was shot by a white officer, Stephen Roach, in Cincinnati. Was wanted for traffic violations and was fleeing.  Mr. Thomas had been wanted on 14 warrants, including traffic charges and fleeing the police. On the night of the shooting, he ran from three other officers and scaled fences in a neighborhood plagued by drugs and violence according to Roach’s lawyer.


About The Perpetrator:


About The Victim:


Outcome:

The officer, Stephen Roach, had been charged with negligent homicide and obstructing official business in the death of Timothy Thomas, 19, whom he shot in a dark alley early on April 7. Judge Ralph E. Winkler of Hamilton County Municipal Court pronounced sentence after hearing the trial without a jury. Officer Roach did not testify. ”This shooting was a split-second reaction to a very dangerous situation created by Timothy Thomas,” Judge Winkler said. ”Police Officer Roach’s action was reasonable.” The judge said Officer Roach had an unblemished record, while Mr. Thomas had been wanted on a variety of warrants and did not respond to an order to show his hands. Roach was acquitted. Eight hundred arrests were made in the ensuing riots.

The City of Cincinnati, Fraternal Order of Police and Black United Front were among groups in 2002 that signed the Collaborative Agreement, which brought sweeping reforms to the police department. It would change how it tracked and recorded its use of force, modify foot-pursuit policies and add computers to cruisers. The emphasis would now be community-oriented policing.

 

Sources:


Stephen Roach, was a 27 year old city policeman at the time of Thomas’s death. 

He had been a city police officer since 1997.

Victim: Timothy Thomas

Perpetrator

Victim

Date:

2001-04-07

Location:

Cincinnati, Ohio 


What happened:

In April of 2001, Thomas- an unarmed black 19-year-old- was shot by a white officer, Stephen Roach, in Cincinnati. Was wanted for traffic violations and was fleeing.  Mr. Thomas had been wanted on 14 warrants, including traffic charges and fleeing the police. On the night of the shooting, he ran from three other officers and scaled fences in a neighborhood plagued by drugs and violence according to Roach’s lawyer.


About The Perpetrator:


About The Victim:


Outcome:

The officer, Stephen Roach, had been charged with negligent homicide and obstructing official business in the death of Timothy Thomas, 19, whom he shot in a dark alley early on April 7. Judge Ralph E. Winkler of Hamilton County Municipal Court pronounced sentence after hearing the trial without a jury. Officer Roach did not testify. ”This shooting was a split-second reaction to a very dangerous situation created by Timothy Thomas,” Judge Winkler said. ”Police Officer Roach’s action was reasonable.” The judge said Officer Roach had an unblemished record, while Mr. Thomas had been wanted on a variety of warrants and did not respond to an order to show his hands. Roach was acquitted. Eight hundred arrests were made in the ensuing riots.

The City of Cincinnati, Fraternal Order of Police and Black United Front were among groups in 2002 that signed the Collaborative Agreement, which brought sweeping reforms to the police department. It would change how it tracked and recorded its use of force, modify foot-pursuit policies and add computers to cruisers. The emphasis would now be community-oriented policing.

Sources:


Timothy Thomas was an unarmed black 19-year-old male.