10 years after Ferguson Unrest, is St. Louis police shooting presidential election's October surprise?
ST. LOUIS, MO / ACCESSWIRE / October 30, 2024 / Mrs. Nichola Cannon, along with her sister and son, was brought into a room at a St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department precinct to view footage of her daughter's alleged suicide, captured by department-issued cameras. Armed officers allegedly stood behind and alongside Mrs. Cannon and her family in an intimidating manner as they viewed the footage. Mrs. Cannon, representing herself, her family, and the estate of her daughter Janita Vance, maintains that the video they were shown does not depict a suicide or a suicide following a police stop, as initially reported by police and the media.
The family was unprepared for what those familiar with the footage describe as "an extrajudicial and summary execution" of Ms. Vance, compounded by what they perceived as explicit intimidation.
Missouri attorney Raisha Snider, the family's lead counsel from the Snider Law Firm, pledges to continue advocating for "transparency, support, humanity, due process, and fairness." After careful study, Ms. Snider stated, "I believe the shooting of Ms. Vance in its totality was a crime against humanity."
Attorney Snider has reviewed the footage, describing an officer first appearing to shoot Ms. Vance multiple times from behind. The officer then continued shooting until the magazine was empty, reloaded, and resumed firing until her defenseless body fell to the ground, continuing to shoot while she lay on the ground.
Following this traumatic experience, the family contacted the police department, mayor's office, and other elected officials to request access to constituent support services, including mental health counselors and faith-based support. After multiple unanswered calls and emails, Mrs. Cannon, family members, and Attorney Snider traveled to Washington, D.C. to formally:
Request federal constituent support services suitable for a family grappling with the alleged suicide of a relative and potential police intimidation;
Securely report, provide evidence, and request a federal review of an alleged gross human rights violation committed by St. Louis Metropolitan Police.
Outreach has extended to local and federal offices, including the White House Office of Public Engagement. To date, no substantive response or requested support services have been recommended, offered, or provided to the Vance family. None of the federal officials or staff have arranged, initiated, or provided instruction on secure transmission and receipt of evidence regarding the alleged human rights violation.
The Estate of Janita Vance is committed to preserving her dignity, especially in death. For now, the Estate will not publicly release any video, still, audio images, recordings, or renderings of the incident. The family requests that the government, press, witnesses, and anyone else with evidence related to Ms. Vance's death refrain from publishing it. Should any such footage become public, the Estate will enforce its privacy and property rights in Ms. Vance's name, image, and likeness. Furthermore, shocking the public conscience should not, nor should it ever, be a prerequisite for government action in response to citizens' petitions for redress of grievances.
The family also renews its call for constituent support services for first responders, witnesses, and community members impacted by this incident. Mrs. Cannon will continue leading efforts to draw attention to this tragedy, describing the officer's actions as "inhumane" and demanding systemic changes with two primary goals: the prevention of extrajudicial killings by police and the elimination of any actual or perceived intimidation or retaliation by the government in response to requests for review, oversight, and constituent support.
"Even in a crisis, we are calling for collaboration between the government and U.S. citizens rather than conflict," said Mrs. Cannon. Unfortunately, the family's pleas have been met with silence from local and federal officials across both the legislative and executive branches.
An experienced political operative has suggested that senior government officials may be considering the public disclosure of this incident as an ‘October surprise campaign issue,' intending to delay it until after the election rather than serving constituents. "This shooting is likely the number one priority for the next president. But opening an investigation now could lead to unpredictable outcomes. That is not ideal in a close election."
Brittany N. Jones, partner at Kolibri Advisors P.C., a boutique firm specializing in legal, privacy, and risk management, noted, "Political aspirations, instability, and the uncertain outcome of the upcoming presidential election should not delay a federal investigation into human rights abuses on American soil involving government officials. Much like its citizens, the government can walk and chew gum at the same time. At this stage in the presidential election cycle, all candidates should be receiving intelligence briefings from the Office of the Director of National Intelligence. I submit that ongoing violations of Americans' right to petition their government without retaliation constitute a matter of national and, arguably, international importance."
Mrs. Cannon implores, "We will continue to seek help for myself, my family, and the community harmed by this tragedy."
View the original press release on accesswire.com
