"In the Ronald Johnson shooting in Chicago, we saw the video," Newton said. "And this is exactly what we have been organizing and advocating for: unchecked discretion to use deadly force."
On December 7, Chicago police refused to charge officer George Hernandez for the shooting death of Johnson. Earlier that day, the authorities released the 911 emergency calls as well as the dash camera video of the incident.
Newton argued that police officers should not be legally allowed to shoot without a visual indication of a weapon and a threat.
"The way the law is written it allows officers wide latitude in what they perceive," he said.
Newton also noted that Hernandez’s perception that Johnson, who was African American, had a weapon was a mistake, and that the prosecutor involved in the case acted as a defense attorney in not charging Hernandez.
On December 10, the US Department of Justice announced it will launch an investigation into the Chicago Police Department’s use of force.
