Subscribe
NewsOne Featured Video
CLOSE

On March 18,  officers shot an unarmed 22-year-old Stephon Clark. However, Clark isn’t the only tragedy from that week. Five days before, on March 13, 34-year-old Decynthia Clements was shot and killed by police in Elgin, Illinois.

CNN.com reports, for an hour, police tried to get a possibly suicidal Clements out of her car and they also alleged she was armed with a steak knife. “Authorities say she refused, and at one point she set something on fire and threw it into the back seat. As smoke filled the car, police moved toward it to force her out. But she opened the door, choking on the smoke, and got out of the car as three gunshots rang out. Police say she had a knife in her left hand, but it’s not clear in the video.”

Watch below, the video is graphic:

Does a steak knife require officers to kill a woman — especially when masked, armed white men can walk into a police department and not get shot?

Antonio Romanucci, an attorney for Clements’ family, told CNN that  police had “no reason” to open fire and “there was no evidence that police were in fear of their own bodily harm.” He also added, “Since they did not deal with this as a medical situation, they dealt with this as a militarized, police situation. Because one officer perceived her as deadly threat, despite the plan not to kill her, with all those officers there, it was predetermined that she would die.” The family is hoping for a “transparent investigation.”

Our thoughts and prayers go out to everyone affected by this tragedy. Rest in peace, Decynthia Clements.

SEE ALSO:

Racial Storm Ensues After Officer Identified In Shooting Of Australian Woman

Philando Castile’s Mother Offers Support

Racial Storm Ensues After Officer Identified In Shooting Of Australian Woman

31 Black Women Who Died In Police Custody
USA, New York, Protesters of police killing march in New York demanding Justice For All
26 photos