Killing of Hunter Brittain
| Killing of Hunter Brittain | |
|---|---|
| Location | Near Cabot, Arkansas, U.S. |
| Date | June 23, 2021 c. 3:00 a.m. (CDT) |
Attack type | Child homicide by shooting, police killing |
| Victim | Hunter Brittain, aged 17 |
| Perpetrator | Michael Davis |
| Verdict |
|
| Charges | |
| Sentence | 1 year in jail plus $1,000 fine |
| Litigation | Lawsuit filed against Davis by Brittain's family[1] |
At approximately 3:00 am (CDT) on Wednesday, June 23, 2021, 17-year-old Hunter Brittain, who was unarmed, was fatally shot by Lonoke County sheriff's deputy Sgt. Michael Davis near Cabot, Arkansas, United States. He later died at North Little Rock Hospital.[2]
Killing[edit]
Brittain was attempting to use a jug of antifreeze to stop his truck from rolling into the officer's vehicle when the deputy shot him.[2] Brittain's family claimed he was test driving a truck, which he had been working on when he was pulled over by the deputy.[3]
Aftermath[edit]
The body camera of the deputy was turned over to Arkansas State Police.[4] The camera was not on during the shooting.[5] Davis was fired for leaving his body cam off until after Brittain was shot.[6]
The death of Brittain inspired protests.[7] Attorneys Ben Crump and Devon Jacob are representing Brittain's family. At a memorial for Brittain, he was eulogized by Reverend Al Sharpton.[7]
Brittain’s family and friends have proposed “Hunter’s Law”. The law would require all Arkansas police officers to wear a body camera which would be kept turned on during their shift.[8]
Davis was found guilty at trial in March 2022 of negligent homicide, but not guilty of manslaughter and was sentenced to 1 year in jail plus a $1,000 fine. 1 year in jail is the maximum sentence for negligent homicide in Arkansas.[9][10][11] However, Davis appealed his conviction and has been released until a decision is made on the appeal. Controversy emerged in August 2023 after Davis was seen greeting elementary school students.[12]
References[edit]
- ^ "Hunter Brittain family files lawsuit against former deputy, Lonoke County sheriff". June 23, 2022.
- ^ a b Ockerman, Emma (June 28, 2021). "A Teen Was Having Car Trouble. A Sheriff's Deputy Shot and Killed Him". Vice News.
- ^ Brantley, Max (June 23, 2021). "Lonoke deputy shoots, kills youth after traffic stop UPDATE". Arkansas Times.
- ^ Geary, Greg (June 28, 2021). "Cousin of teen killed by deputy walks with American flag to remember last moments alive". The Daily Citizen. Archived from the original on June 29, 2021.
- ^ Carroll, Scott (July 1, 2021). "Arkansas deputy fired after fatally shooting teen; body camera wasn't on, sheriff says". KATV.
- ^ DeMillo, Andrew (July 1, 2021). "Deputy who shot Arkansas teen fired for leaving body cam off". AP News.
- ^ a b DeMillo, Andrew (July 6, 2021). "Al Sharpton eulogizes white Arkansas teen shot by deputy". AP News.
- ^ Hayes, Mills (June 29, 2021). "Arkansas teen killed by deputy leads supporters to propose 'Hunter's Law'". KATV.
- ^ "Arkansas deputy sentenced to one year for teen's traffic stop death". March 19, 2022.
- ^ "Former deputy found guilty of negligent homicide in Arkansas teen's death". March 14, 2022.
- ^ "Former Lonoke County Sheriff's Deputy sentenced for the death of unarmed teen". March 21, 2022.
- ^ "Former Lonoke County deputy convicted of negligent homicide seen greeting elementary school students". August 25, 2022.
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