DETROIT, Mich., Oct. 11, 2022 — On Sunday, Oct. 2, Porter Burks, a 20-year-old Black man, experienced a mental health crisis. Burks’ brother called the police, fearful of the safety of Burks and the community. When officers arrived, Burks’ brother explained to police that Burks was experiencing a mental health crisis and was armed with a knife. While officers allegedly attempted to de-escalate the situation, Burks repeatedly refused to put down the knife and charged at the officers. The officers fired 38 shots at Burks in three seconds, killing him. In response, state Rep. Cynthia A. Johnson (D-Detroit) issued the following statement:
“Once again, we have another news headline detailing that police have killed someone they were supposed to help keep safe. When will enough be enough? My heart goes out to Porter Burks’ family for this senseless killing. There are many government departments that failed Porter, not just the police. It is time we reform policing and hold officers accountable, once and for all. Police who are inadequately trained to handle these situations should not respond to them. Sadly, systemic wrongs plague our country, and these ideologies failed Burks and many others like him.”
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