Danroy Henry: Pace University Football Player Shot to Death by Police

Danroy Henry was shot to death by police in New York state shortly before his 21^st birthday. Was the shooting death of Danroy Henry by the police justified or did something more ominous happen to cause his death? The police involved in this shooting are from the Mount Pleasant and Pleasantville police departments.

Danroy was shot by three police bullets. Witnesses to the incident outside of Finnergan's Grill, say that Danroy was moving his car after a fight occurred in a parking lot. He was not involved in the fight. While he was moving the vehicle witnesses say a police officer placed himself in front of Danroy's car, notes the Boston Globe. The police claim Henry hit an officer with his car and that his car pinned another policeman to the hood of the vehicle.

High School Coach Praises Danroy Henry

Danroy's friends Brandon Cox and Desmond Hinds were in the car with him when he was shot to death. He survived the incident with minor injuries from the bullets. They played football together in high school. Their coach, Jim Artz, told the New York Times: "If my sons grew up to be like these two, I would have been very happy."

It sounds like Danroy was a good guy. What happened on the night of his death? How could this good student and football player end up dead?

Security Video Exists

Police currently have some security video that shows the incident. It has not yet been released to the lawyers for analysis. Charles J. Ogletree, a Harvard Law School professor is going to serve as head lawyer for the case of Danroy Henry.

First Shot in Death of Danroy Henry Fired from the Side

Michael Sussman, a civil rights attorney, has stated that ballistics evidence shows that "the first shots were fired from the side of the car and then from the front. The first shot was fired by an individual who was not in harm's way, who was not in the path of the vehicle but off to the side," reports the Boston Globe.

Danroy Henry: Student at Pace University

Danroy was a junior at Pace University at the time of his death on October 17. He was at a bar with friends that night. The police have leaked information that Danroy was drunk when he was killed. Witnesses deny that, saying that Danroy was the designated driver that evening and had not touched alcohol. Why was such crucial evidence leaked rather than announced in an official way? Is the leak valid or just a way to try to smear Danroy?

Danroy had a tattoo on his wrist that said "family first." That certainly seems a hint that this was a grounded kid who was well raised and respected the notion of the importance of family. In photos he has a shining smile and a spirited look about him. How tragic that his young life was cut short.

The officers who shot Danroy are white and he is African American. Could the incident have been racially motivated? There are many questions that need to be answered about this incident. The young men in the car and the police have told vastly different stories about the incident that led to Danroy's death.

Is America about to learn about another sad tale of gun violence by cops or did Danroy somehow incite the shots? Why didn't the cop outside the car shoot out the tires rather than shooting at the occupants of the car? Was a death necessary in this incident?

Never Forget: Amadou Diallo, 41 Shots

Sometimes cops unload their weapons in haste, as the incident in New York involving Amadou Diallo taught our nation. The police in New York City fired 41 bullets at him. Nineteen of the shots hit Amadou. He did not have a weapon. Amadou Diallo was age 23 at the time of his death.

Sources:

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/10/19/nyregion/19pace.html

http://www.boston.com/news/local/breaking_news/2010/10/celebration_of.html

http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-504083_162-20021057-504083.html

http://www.nytimes.com/2005/02/04/nyregion/04nyc.html