Family Demands Answers After Teen’s Fatal Shooting by Police in Delaware
A tragic incident in Wilmington, Delaware has left a family devastated and seeking answers. The shooting of 19-year-old Kadir Skinner by police officers has sparked a call for transparency and justice.
The incident occurred on a night when officers noticed a large gathering on 24th and Jessup Streets. According to WDEL, police claimed Skinner emerged from a residence with a gun aimed at the crowd before attempting to flee, leading to an officer shooting him.
Conflicting accounts have emerged, with family members and witnesses disputing the police’s version. Skinner’s family, including his father Durell Dollard, is demanding the release of body camera footage, alleging he was shot in the back. Dollard expressed his grief, stating, “My son is gone. The officer that shot my son got to go home.”
Rashai Skinner, Kadir’s mother, who was at work in a hospital when she received the call about her son, voiced her need for clarity: “I want transparency on what happened to my son. I’m not OK.”
Reports suggest Kadir was fleeing from a dog when he was shot. Allegations have also surfaced that instead of receiving immediate medical attention, he was handcuffed and placed in a police car.
Further, witnesses have accused officers of collecting shell casings from the scene, a claim reported by ABC 6 Action News. Durell Dollard recounted hearing his son say, “I can’t breathe. I can’t breathe,” during the incident.
Community members have raised concerns about the officer involved, citing previous negative interactions. Pastor Derrick Johnson told ABC 6, “One of the reasons this particular shooting created such an outcry in the community is because this officer is known to the community and not in a positive way.”
The Wilmington Police Department has placed the officer on administrative leave as the Delaware Department of Justice investigates. The DOJ emphasized the importance of video evidence in its review and urged anyone with footage to share it with their office via publictrust@delaware.gov.
Wilmington City Council expressed condolences to the family and the community, emphasizing the need for an independent and thorough investigation. Civil Rights Attorney Ben Crump has been retained by the family to seek answers and accountability.
The Wilmington Police Department stated, “This incident is under investigation by the Criminal Investigations Division, the Office of Professional Standards and the Delaware Department of Justice. Anyone with information about this incident is encouraged to contact Detective Sergeant Robert Fox at (302) 576-3625.”
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