Akouvi Adjessom, the mother of Randall Adjessom, filed a wrongful death lawsuit against SWAT police for fatally shooting her son.
According to ABC News, the 16-year-old was shot during a no-knock warrant raid in Mobile, Alabama, after being woken up by forced entry. Just after 5:30 a.m. on Nov. 13, 2023, police broke down the front door of his home, where Adjessom’s mother, aunt, grandmother and three sisters — two of whom were minors — were also there.
“They’re supposed to be peace officers, aren’t they? How many more young Black boys like Randall have to be buried following police brutality before the MPD’s legendary culture of unchecked excessive force is finally put to rest,” the teen’s mom said in a statement on Monday.
Randall was not even a suspect and yet this beautiful 16-yr-old was murdered for simply answering the door to trigger-happy murderous racist cops. When will this end? https://t.co/xWKzBWSamy pic.twitter.com/sQrMKGsnUV
— Axel Folio, PhD,
Paddystinian Powerbroker
(@ISASaxonists) December 27, 2024
Per the complaint, citing sealed bodycam footage, Adjessom emerged from his bedroom pointing a gun at officers but put up his hands when he realized they were law enforcement.
Police were there to execute a warrant against Adjessom’s older brother, who was suspected of marijuana possession and distribution but did not live at the home.
According to a report following an investigation into Adjessom’s death, “the officer who shot him complied with the city’s use of force because Adjessom was armed and posed a threat,” ABC News mentioned. While it didn’t specify whether Adjessom retreated when he was shot, the report said officers had a “preconceived notion” that Adjessom’s family was dangerous. However, “there was no indication that any of the occupants had violent histories, and the target’s only felony was for marijuana.”
Per ABC News, an unnamed officer shot Adjessom four times within 11 seconds of entering the home. According to the suit, after he was shot, Adjessom didn’t receive medical attention until 50 minutes after he arrived at an emergency room eight minutes away.
The outlet reported that attorneys for Adjessom’s mother called his death an “unquestionably foreseeable and preventable tragedy.” Unspecified damages are sought in the lawsuit filed in federal court in Mobile against the city and the officers involved.
The post Family Of Randall Adjessom, Black Teen Killed In No-Knock Warrant Raid, Sues Alabama City And Officers appeared first on Blavity.
