GAITHERSBURG, MD (24 OCT 2021) Read the full article “I don’t want to see another Ryan” Supporters of police shooting victim call for change in Montgomery Co.
GAITHERSBURG, MD (24 OCT 2021) Read the full article Family, Activists Demand Better Mental Crisis Response After Police Killing of Ryan LeRoux
Ryan LeRoux, 21, was shot and killed by police at a Gaithersburg McDonalds on July 16, after authorities said they received a call about a customer who had ordered food, but was refusing to move through the drive-thru lane.
After a stand-off that lasted around 30 minutes, Ryan LeRoux’s father, Paul, said officers fired 24 shots. At a media briefing on July 27, the police chief did not say whether investigators believe LeRoux raised a weapon or posed a threat to police, the Associated Press reported.
At a rally demanding justice for a man shot and killed by police in July, the Silver Spring Justice Coalition called on Montgomery County to make changes in the way it handles people in mental distress. Supporters believe local police must improve the response to mental health crisis incidents. Some demonstrators also called for the removal of Montgomery County Police Chief Marcus Jones. “You’ve got to have effective leadership and somebody who’s going to step up and say this is wrong,” he said. “We can make difference but police don’t want to seek to make that difference.”
“We keep telling you the same story, other families being caught up in the killings of their loved ones, because police intervene where they never should’ve been in the first place,” Bob Veiga, of the Silver Spring Justice Coalition, said.
“We can hopefully change the laws and we can get something implemented where this won’t continue to happen to our young Black men. These counties, these police forces need to know that there is a mental health crisis especially with Covid. I’d like to see the laws changed in some way and at least see the police follow the laws so we don’t have another repeat of Ryan. They could’ve deescalated that. They could’ve tended to him and that never had to happen.
Paul LeRoux, Ryans’s father
Activists said the county needs to make more and better use of its crisis intervention teams to handle calls involving those who are having mental health problems. “It’s not helpful for police with badges or guns or tasers to come scream at you when the only danger you are is probably to yourself,” another person at the demonstration said. Those supporting the removal of the chief argue that there is a systemic problem within the department and a change in leadership is one way to begin making change.
