Native American leaders call for probe into shooting death

[mike r]

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2012804180_williams04m.html

Native American leaders call for probe into shooting death
By Lynda V. Mapes

Calling the fatal shooting of a First Nations carver by a Seattle police officer unjustified, Native American and Canadian First Nations leaders gathered at a news conference Friday to demand a full investigation into the shooting death, as well as changes in the department.

John T. Williams, 50, a member of the Nuu-Chah-Nulth Dititdaht First Nations people on Vancouver Island, was killed by officer Ian Birk Monday afternoon. Birk saw Williams with a knife and repeatedly ordered him to drop it just before shooting Williams four times from a distance of 9 to 10 feet.

Williams, it turned out, was a First Nations totem carver carrying a 3-inch folding knife, and a chronic inebriate who had told people he was deaf in one ear, and often had trouble understanding what was said to him.

"He also was wearing ear buds," Williams' younger brother Eric said Friday...

[Bobbieo]

1. Unfortunately. this is a common practice in that area. Natives are

treated very badly, there.