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Black man's killing by police shakes La. town
Published Saturday, April 11, 2009
HOMER, La. (AP) — For 73 years before his killing by a white police officer, Bernard Monroe led a life in this northern Louisiana town as peaceful as they come — five kids with his wife of five decades, all raised in the same house, supported by the same job.
The black man’s shooting death is attracting far more attention than he ever did, raising racial tensions between the black community and Homer’s police department.
The Rev. Al Sharpton, who helped organize a massive 2007 civil rights demonstration in Jena after six black teenagers were charged with attempted murder in the beating of a white classmate, led a peaceful march Friday afternoon in Homer to protest the killing.
‘‘No justice, no peace!’’ demonstrators chanted. ‘‘We shall overcome!’’
About 150 demonstrators marched near the neighborhood where Monroe, a 73-year-old retired power company lineman, was gunned down by police last February outside his home during a family cookout.
The half-mile march ended at a park where Sharpton, a longtime civil rights activist, told an even larger crowd of almost 400 people that ‘‘to shoot an unarmed, innocent man and put him on trial is a disgrace.’’
‘‘We didn’t come to the city to start trouble. We came to the city to stop trouble,’’ Sharpton told the crowd. ‘‘Let (police) explain why they broke the peace and took the life of this innocent man.’’
Some white Homer residents feared Sharpton’s visit would deepen racial tension.
Linda Volentine, whose 1971 graduating class at Homer High School was the first to be fully integrated, said the town’s race relations have had ‘‘ups and downs’’ in recent years.
‘‘I’m hoping Rev. Sharpton can unite us again,’’ said Volentine, who is white. ‘‘But if it’s something that is supposed to drive a wedge, it will be harmful to the community, which we don’t need.’’
Sharpton said afterward that he wants a thorough investigation of the killing. The FBI and state police are investigating.
‘‘We’re going to keep coming to Homer until we get justice,’’ Sharpton said.
Rendered mute after losing his larynx to cancer, Monroe was in his usual spot on a mild Friday afternoon in February when events unfolded: A chair by the gate led to his Adams Street home. A barbecue cooker smoked beside a picnic table in the yard. A dozen or so family members talked and played nearby.
All seemed calm, until two Homer police officers drove up.
In a report to state authorities, Homer police said Officer Tim Cox and another officer they have refused to identify chased Monroe’s son, Shaun, 38, from a suspected drug deal blocks away to his father’s house.
Witnesses dispute that account, saying the younger Monroe was talking to his sister-in-law in a truck in front of the house when the officers arrived.
All agree Shaun Monroe, who had an arrest record for assault and battery but no current warrants, drove up the driveway and went into the house. Two white police officers followed him. Within minutes, he ran back outside, followed by an unidentified officer who Tasered him in the front yard.
Seeing the commotion, Bernard Monroe confronted the officer. Police said that he advanced on them with a pistol and that Cox, who was still inside the house, shot at him through a screen door.
Monroe fell dead. How many shots were fired isn’t clear; the coroner has refused to release an autopsy report, citing the active investigation.
Police said Monroe was shot after he pointed a gun at them, though no one claims Monroe fired shots. Friends and family said he was holding a bottle of sports water. They accuse police of planting a gun he owned next to his body.
‘‘Mr. Ben didn’t have a gun,’’ said 32-year-old neighbor Marcus Frazier, who was there that day. ‘‘I saw that other officer pick up the gun from out of a chair on the porch and put it by him.’’
Frazier said Monroe was known to keep a gun for protection because of local drug activity.
Despite the chase and Tasering, Shaun Monroe was not arrested. He and other relatives would not comment afterward.
Monroe’s gun is being DNA-tested by state police. The findings of their investigation will be given to District Attorney Jonathan Stewart, who would decide whether to file charges.
The case also has led to FBI and State Police investigations and drawn attention from national civil rights leaders.
‘‘We’ve had a good relationship, blacks and whites, but this thing has done a lot of damage,’’ said Michael Wade, one of three blacks on the five-member town council. ‘‘To shoot down a family man that had never done any harm, had no police record, caused no trouble. Suddenly everyone is looking around wondering why it happened and if race was the reason.’’
Homer, a town of 3,800 about 45 miles northwest of Shreveport, is in piney woods just south of the Arkansas state line. Many people work in the oil or timber industries. In the old downtown, shops line streets near the antebellum Claiborne Parish courthouse on the town square.
The easygoing climate, blacks say, masked police harassment.
The black community has focused its anger on Police Chief Russell Mills, who is white. They say he’s directed a policy of harassment toward them.
The FBI and State Police said they received no complaints about Homer police before the shooting.
Mills declined interview requests, saying he retained a lawyer and feared losing his job.
Comments
Posted by yankee (anonymous) on April 11, 2009 at 12:20 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Whatever!!! Here he goes again al sharpton WHO????? Come on ! he's always starting trouble.HA- OVERCOME WHAT???????? al should have learned from the jena six he defended the wrong side> WHO and his family is in jail for trouble?
Posted by southernbelle (anonymous) on April 11, 2009 at 8:38 a.m. (Suggest removal)
There was a gun in the chair beside him. Hummm. And he pointed a water bottle at an officer. How convenient. If I were a police officer giving chase to a druggie and found myself in a volatile situation like that, I think I would have probably done the same. And yes, I do believe they were having a nice little barbecue until their drug ridden son showed up with the law on his tail. Whose fault is that ?Gimme a break,Al!
Posted by Krogers (anonymous) on April 11, 2009 at 9:53 a.m. (Suggest removal)
this is so sad
a drug related offense, suspect flees to his father's home
he brought this down on his parents.....
a father trying to protect a child I can understand
but getting in the way of police when in pursuit of a grown man, that's a different story
we're supposed to cooperate and have respect,
Posted by Krogers (anonymous) on April 11, 2009 at 10:05 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Al Sharpton should be a lot more worried about the frequent crimes and killings of blacks on blacks more so than the occasional incident of this nature
Posted by reb1843 (anonymous) on April 11, 2009 at 1:46 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Jbird, you need to take Remedial Reading 101. Again. The article says the old man kept a gun for protection against drug thugs. Duh! What part of the article did you not understand? I'll type real slow so you can figure it out.
This crime is NOT black vs white. It is crime vs police protection, regardless of color as some would have us believe.
Posted by Username (anonymous) on April 11, 2009 at 7:22 p.m. (Suggest removal)
This entire situation could have been avoided.
The war against drugs is the most expensive and the longest lasting war in the history of this country,and who's winning?
Prohibition didn't work then and it doesn't work today.
Posted by hytekrednek (anonymous) on April 12, 2009 at 1:16 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I tend to agree with username, but the fact remains, if you point a gun at the cops while they are making an arrest, there is a strong possibility that you might get shot. Get real people do you really think he pulled a water bottle in defence of his son? Kind of ironic that he toted a pistol for protection against drug thugs when his son is out slingin'. SAD
Posted by reneef (anonymous) on April 12, 2009 at 11:06 p.m. (Suggest removal)
If Mr. Monroe had a gun then I feel the police were completely justified in their action. If he did not have a gun then I feel the officers involved should be prosecuted.
There is not enough information released in this article for any of us to determine exactly what happened.
As for Al Sharpton... I think he just wants to start trouble.
Posted by emp (anonymous) on April 12, 2009 at 11:49 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Al Sharpton will do what he does best; stir up racial tension. He is nothing more than a black racist with a megaphone.
I agree with reneef, there is no way to determine the facts or come to a conclusion with the information given in this article.
Posted by Fonzarosa (anonymous) on April 13, 2009 at 1:43 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I just love how you White people say well hell they kill each other so what's wrong with us killing a few more ie !!Kroger!! give me a break
Posted by allthesame (anonymous) on April 13, 2009 at 4:14 a.m. (Suggest removal)
How can you tell the race of any user on here? I didn't know that just words could show your race!! Maybe something new I suppose!
Posted by SUNSHINELADY (anonymous) on April 13, 2009 at 10:18 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I don't think a 73 year old man that has not given his community or the law ever any trouble would point a gun at a police officer whether he is black or white. Everyone knows that these articles are not always correct with the right information. Okay everyone went to church Easter and we are back to square one, RACISM!!! PLEASE PEOPLE.
Posted by ms1drfl (anonymous) on April 13, 2009 at 3:03 p.m. (Suggest removal)
It is apparent that racist posts and individuals are easily noticed. Just by your comments can determine your race. This was a senseless killing and as usual we have scum bag cops who are trigger happy not just in Homer, but everywhere. These cops were not justified in this shooting and took an innocent life of a law abiding citizen.
When whites realize that we are the reason for their existence then maybe they will put aside their racist remarks and actions.
It was our ancestors who breast fed and raised your parents and grandparents. I could go on and on, but I won't. If you were taught the real American History, you would realize that this nation was stolen by your kind and you continue to steal from those less fortunate. Look at the traffic light you use everyday. The light bulb, the cotton gin, first heart surgery; etc.
Posted by mgt1122 (anonymous) on April 13, 2009 at 4:34 p.m.
(This comment was removed by the site staff.)
Posted by drawpaintsing (anonymous) on April 13, 2009 at 5:01 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Fonzarosa, just don't worry about. It bothers me, just as much as it bothers you. Just let them talk. I don't know the reason behind Kroger's comment, but if you really pay attention to what he is saying, it's the truth. I'm not saying this to make people on here like me, because I could care less. All I care about is what's right. Black on black crime is destroying our race. It affects family, environment, education, etc. I use to get upset when I see these stupid comments, but you win just by being quiet. Let them say what they want. We need to come together to save our race.
Posted by Username (anonymous) on April 13, 2009 at 8:20 p.m. (Suggest removal)
My opinion is... If drugs were legal this would have never happened,we would not have situations of thugs selling drugs on the street corners and the crime associated with this out of control modern day mafia. You need to understand supply and demand to understand that criminals will sell the drugs on the streets and in any neighborhood where there is a demand for the drugs.
Until we address this very important issue people will be killed like this again and again and again.
It's like unorganized organized crime because now a poverty stricken family can make a lot of money selling drugs that come from the drug lords on the streets at the thugs own price and it's a lot easier that a 8-5 job and waaay more profitable.
Posted by johnqpublic (anonymous) on April 13, 2009 at 8:28 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Wow....It's amazing to me how whites are supposedly the only racist people in the world. Its amazing to me that being born a certain color means you are inferior or superior. Its amazing to me how people can bash one race for being racist without realizing that they themselves are being racist. Its amazing to me that everyone feels that whites are all rich, educated and decedents of slave holders. Its amazing to me how everyone thinks that blacks are all poor, uneducated drug dealers. Its amazing to me how we have survived this long with so much hate in this country.
A house divided will surely one day fall...
Posted by showbiz (anonymous) on April 13, 2009 at 8:47 p.m. (Suggest removal)
YOU PEOPLE ARE STILL HIDDING BEHIND YOUR SHEETS STOP BEING A COWARD TAKE THEM OFF :) you post your comments daily and each day you turn articles into race wars
Posted by johnqpublic (anonymous) on April 13, 2009 at 8:56 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Thank you showbiz for being a perfect example...
Posted by allthesame (anonymous) on April 14, 2009 at 1:23 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Everyone may as well give up....the blacks will forever yell RACISM!!! It doesn't matter who was right or wrong...Everyone is always out to get them!!!!!
Posted by natchezangel (anonymous) on April 14, 2009 at 1:40 a.m. (Suggest removal)
First of all my mom and dad tought me to judge someone for who they are not the color of thier skin. I hate to be the one to say this but did anyone even think of how bad the cop might feel about what happen or how the family is feeling over thier lost NO I have not seen it yet So let me be the first to say may God be with the cops and the family and no matter who fault it was may all who are hurting and missing their love one be blessed!!!!!!
Posted by kpage1 (anonymous) on April 14, 2009 at 8:48 a.m. (Suggest removal)
None of us know the true story of the tragedy that happened to Bernard Monroe. We are assuming things that we have no proof of, then reacting to it. I was angered when I read that the cop shot Mr. Monroe through the screen door, but I have to realize that Mr. Monroe MAY have been holding a gun to the other cop...he MAY NOT have been. We just don't know the complete story. Let's try to figure it out TOGETHER, instead of stereotyping.
My mother is a decendent of a slave holder and my father's family were basically slaves of the capos in Italy, yet I was taught to love EVERYBODY, regardless of economic or social standing...including color. Why is the world so mean?
Posted by natchezangel (anonymous) on April 14, 2009 at 12:48 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Wow funny how when the commits turn into loveing everyone all the rest of yall clam up and have nothing nice to say. Justice is blinde for a reason so she can not see color just the truth.
Posted by natchezangel (anonymous) on April 14, 2009 at 7:28 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Let me guess jbird youu or one of your family members are in jail and its all a lieing cops fault . Come on there are good and bad poeple in all jobs. For you to put them all togaether is not right.
Posted by hytekrednek (anonymous) on April 14, 2009 at 10:08 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I'll bet jbird has never been in a combat situation or had to make a split second life or death decision. The decision that officer made will live with him for the rest of his life. The dope dealing son got his dad killed, no matter which way anybody wants to point the finger.
Posted by southernwoman (anonymous) on April 14, 2009 at 11:06 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I agree with Al Sharpton that a thorough investigation should be conducted.
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