Family calls for unredacted release of bodycam video at vigil for man killed by DC police

WASHINGTON ( DC News Now ) — Dozens of people gathered in Southeast D.C. Friday night to remember 26-year-old Justin Robinson , who was killed by police outside a McDonald’s on Marion Barry Avenue SE on Sunday, Sept. 1.

During a vigil, his family not only talked about who he was as a person, but also about the body camera video they watched , saying he did not deserve to die.

“Justice for Justin,” the crowd repeated.

Surrounded by a crowd of friends, family and neighbors, Justin Robinson’s mother talked about who he was.

“He was funny. What a bond to break. To be out here to see this like this for my son but it’s for a bigger purpose,” his mother said.

Justin Robinson was a violence interrupter for the Cure the Streets program through the D.C. Attorney General’s Office.

“They called for a car crash. When they came up on the scene they came as if he had already committed a crime,” Robinson’s sister said.

His sister and NeeNee Taylor with Harriet’s Wildest Dreams said they watched 19 minutes of body camera video.

“The cop stuck the gun inside the window and said ‘I will shoot your motherf head off.’ Justin took this hand and moved the gun and they opened fire on him,” Taylor said.

“The medical examiner told me 10 times they shot my brother,” Robinson’s sister said.

His sister said the reason they don’t want the video released is because D.C. Police said they would release a redacted version and they want the community to see every bit of footage.

“It was a pure cold execution. No medical assistance for my brother,” she said.

The officers involved in the shooting are on administrative leave, per District policy. Internal Affairs will investigate the shooting, as will the United States Attorney’s Office.

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