These Are Our Heroes!: Jonathan Ferrell

On Sept. 14, 2013, just outside of Charlotte, NC. Jonathan Ferrell had a bad car accident. The police think that Jonathan may have had to climb out of the rear windshield, in order to escape the vehicle after the accident.

After escaping the vechile, one way or another, Mr. Ferrell walked to the nearest home and knocked on the door, seeking help. Unfortunately the woman who answered the door, opened the door expecting to see her husband. When she realized it was not her husband, she closed the door, pressed the panic button on her home security system. Next she called the police.

The man stood outside and "continued to attempt to gain the attention of the homeowner," a police statement said.

Not too long after the call 3 officers showed up on the scene and found a man that fit the description given in the 911 call. The officers were responding to a "breaking and entering" call.
What happened next is not quite as clear. What is certain is that Jonathan Ferrell died on the scene as a result of being shot several times by one of the officers.

"The evidence revealed that Mr. Ferrell did advance on Officer Kerrick (pictured above), and the investigation showed that the subsequent shooting of Mr. Ferrell was excessive," police said in another statement issued late Saturday night. "Our investigation has shown that Officer Kerrick did not have a lawful right to discharge his weapon during this encounter. " Officer Kerrick was charged with voluntary manslaughter.
A charge of voluntary manslaughter means the person used excessive force in self-defense, or carried out the act without intent to kill.

Jonathan Ferrell was 24 years old, one month away from the dreaded age 25 (Young Black Males dread this age because stereo typically young black males won't live that long). Jonathan played safety on the 2010 FAMU Championship Team. He was also engaged to be married.

All three officers have been placed on paid leave.

It is still undetermined if Ferrell had been injured in the accident or if potential injuries (such as a concussion) could have played a role incident that ended in his life later that day.

Read the CNN article here or check out the video below:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V-wbQLeNCiM

Now, let it be known that It is not my aim to insinuate that the officer was racist. Local Civil Rights leaders have stepped in on Mr. Ferrell's behalf. The question TAOH has to ask is, where are our heroes?

If you are reading this on my blog it is currently 2014, are there no NFL stars who are FAMU Alumni?

Or maybe an athlete, or rapper that is from Charlotte North Carolina. Surely someone has some very loose connection to this mans story or struggle, and can speak out on behalf of the society we live in.

I mean seriously Florida celebrities, Mr. Ferrell was not a teenager, however, he is not actually accused of ANYTHING wrong, improper, or illegal. On the other hand, you can attempt to beat up a total stranger for whatever reason in 2013 and the entire nation is surprised because if you get shot. I am not commenting on right or wrong, just on the selectivity in our heroes.

What's the Problem??

Maybe because their is no clear cliched way to promote the cause on FB & Instagram?

Could it be maybe that with his shirt & tie, sports background, no criminal record, engaged at 24 years old Jonathan Ferrell does not fit the stereotype of the young black male being shot down by the hands of oppressive community forces. However his death, as an unarmed civilian, and the fact that the police were responding to a breaking & entering, when Jonathan had not tried to break in anywhere should send us down that same path. The fact that one officer felt the need to shoot someone advancing upon him with no visible weapon in the presence of two additional officers.