Since Thursday we've been reporting on the two minors - aged 16 and 17 - who were shot by police. But, they weren't accused of a minor crime; police say they chased them down after they stole two guns from a security firm.
Deputy Commissioner of Police Chester Williams yesterday said that the minors were shot while police were pursuing them. When asked about the fact that both appeared to have been beaten - DCP Williams said, that, under the circumstances, they are lucky to be alive.
However, the mothers of the two minors have a different opinion of how things played out. We spoke to the mother of the 17 year old who explained to us why she firmly believes her son's rights were violated. She asked to appear off camera and to distort her voice:
Voice of: Mother of alleged police brutality victim
"Based on a picture you can clearly see where my child was already detained and restrained. He had handcuffs on. When I went to the hospital and saw my child, his face was scratched, his mouth was blooded and busted. He had a gunshot wound to the left toe, a gunshot wound to the right upper thigh and a grazed on the right upper thigh as well. The first thing he said to me was that they nearly killed me. And so I ask him to tell me what happened. He said that the police had already handcuffed him and thereafter he was repeatedly kicked in the face by a said officer who he identify to me - repeatedly kicked in the face until he lost consciousness. He could recall getting shot once and I guess he had another episode of unconsciousness and he was shot again and then grazed by another bullet."
Reporter
"All of this after he was detained."
Voice of: Mother of alleged police brutality victim
"After he was detained. As I said the picture clearly shows that he was not suffering from any injuries. We didn't see any blood on his pants, we did not see any blood on his face, nor any burst lip anywhere. o evidence of being injured and when I saw his at the hospital he was properly bruised."
Reporter
"According to police this all happened in the process of detaining them. Not only that, but according to police your son along with his companions is fortunate to be alive and that you should be thankful, because it did not escalate to the point where you son lost his life. What is your reaction to that?"
Voice of: Mother of alleged police brutality victim
"I chuckled a bit, not in the sense I find it funny, but I do believe that whoever said that they have children as well. As a mother I feel for my child. Because as I said while he may have done something wrong, the police are supposed to operate within the law."
Reporter
"Some people might say he played with fire and he got burnt."
Voice of: Mother of alleged police brutality victim
"I don't want to say that because as I say he was already detained and restrained. So what was the need for them to abuse him? If I had abused my child, they would have come and arrest me. There is a difference between discipline and punishment and abuse and as I say he was already detained, and restrained in handcuffs. What they did after that is abuse."
The 17 year old is being represented by attorney Leeroy Banner and the 16 year old, who also sustained a gunshot wound to his testicles, is being represented by attorney Dickie Bradley.
Yesterday they were arraigned in court for robbery. Due to their MEDICAL condition were granted bail. But the 17 year old was also separately charged at the family court for kept unlicensed firearm and ammunition without a gun license. He was granted bail for that offence today.
According to their mothers they are in the process of filing a formal complaint against the police department for the abuse of the minors.
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