Attorneys for the family of Porter Burks, the Detroit man killed by police Sunday during a mental health crisis, announced Thursday at a press conference they will be filing a lawsuit against the officers who shot 38 rounds.
“We have what I consider to be an intolerable situation that occurred in the city of Detroit, in which a clearly mentally ill young man was executed by a Detroit Police Department firing squad of five officers,” attorney Geoffrey Fieger said. “I hope that Chief White is listening — I have more questions today than answers.”
Porter’s body was handcuffed after being shot multiple times and “dumped” at the hospital, he said. The Free Press has reached out to Detroit police for comment on the handcuffs.
Burks’ family and Fieger’s demand for justice comes after a tense confrontation between the family and Detroit police on Tuesday, when portions of body camera footage of the killing were released to the public.
Police initially told the public that officers deployed a stun gun before shooting and ultimately killing Burks, a 20-year-old who was diagnosed with schizophrenia. But on Tuesday, Detroit Police Chief James White told reporters it’s unclear at this time whether a stun gun was actually used. Family members said they were told moments before the Tuesday news conference that he had been shocked and shot “at the same time.”
The body camera of a crisis intervention officer on scene shows Burks, who was allegedly holding a knife with about a 3.5-inch blade, wandering in the street near Snowden and Lyndon at about 5 am Sunday. Police had been told by Burks’ brother that he was experiencing a mental health crisis and frantic. Earlier that evening, Burks had gotten a hold of a pocket knife and slashed his brother’s tires, his brother told police. He was concerned for Burks and others.
More:Detroit police release footage of officers fatally shooting Porter Burks
In the video, the crisis intervention officer can be seen with his hand out to Burks, repeatedly asking Burks to put the knife down.
“I just want to help you, man, OK? Can you do me a favor and drop the knife? Can you drop the knife for me? Please? Please, whatever you’re going through, I can help you. Porter, you ‘re not in any trouble, man,” the officer said.
Burks was mostly inaudible, but he could be heard saying that he wanted to rest. He refused to put the knife down.
Later, the footage appears to show Burks attempt to run toward or quickly approach the officers. Police began shooting almost immediately. White said that police believe Burks was about 6 feet away from officers after the last shot.
“The officers had to stop the threat,” White said Tuesday.
Fieger said at Thursday’s press conference that the distance apart was “tremendous” — closer to 46 feet.
He accused White of purposely misleading the public.
“Why can’t you figure out a better way to deal with him than executing him by firing squad?” Fieger asked at Thursday’s press conference.
Burks had gone to the hospital due to mental illness at least twice prior to his killing, according to Chris Graveline, the director of the Department of Professional Standards within the Police Department. He and White said Burks was a victim of “a system that has failed (him) on several different occasions.”
White has said they will not be releasing the names of the officers involved, but that they are on administrative leave pending the outcome of Michigan State Police and internal investigations. The findings will then be turned over to the Wayne County Prosecutor’s Office to determine whether charges against the officers are appropriate.
Burks was described by family members as kind and loving, a good, “straight-A” kid. He was quiet, happy.