EVANSVILLE — Mayor Stephanie Tery posted a video to social media Monday afternoon addressing the police shooting death of Everett Nunn that occurred Saturday night.
Terry directly addresses the camera, offering prayers to both Nunn’s family and the officer involved in the shooting. The officer has not been publicly named.
Having grown up in Evansville, Terry said she knew Nunn.
“I know emotions are high, and I also know many are seeking answers,” she said. “This remains an active investigation, and we must allow the process to move forward.”
Evansville police held a news conference Monday afternoon during which the department released the body cam footage from the shooting.
Police initially said Nunn had “what appeared to be a gun” in a news release sent the night of the shooting. At the news conference Monday, it was revealed it was actually a novelty smoking pipe designed to look like a gun.
In the newly released footage, 58-year-old Nunn can be heard exclaiming, “It’s not a gun!” just seconds before the officer fired the first of six shots.
Terry said both she and Evansville Police Chief Phil Smith met with a representative from the local NAACP Monday morning.
Ed Lander, president of the NAACP, sent a news release Sunday stating the organization had arranged a private viewing of the body cam footage. Lander said the NAACP was calling for full and transparent investigation.
“This branch will continue to monitor the investigation closely and advocate for both the integrity of the process and the protection of Black life across this city,” the release states.
In her video on social media, Terry said her administration would be honest and transparent as the investigation continues. The post was shared over 100 times within an hour of it being posted.
Rep. Alex Burton comments on ‘friction’ with police, community
Indiana State Rep. Alex Burton, D-Evansville, also made a post to social media Monday addressing the shooting.
Burton, now in the state legislature, was previously the City Council rep for Evansville’s Fourth Ward, where this shooting took place.
“I had a conversation at church yesterday and it reminded me that the long-term friction between EPD and the community has plagued us for generations,” Burton stated. “Many have witnessed (or experienced) horrific encounters with law enforcement that are often never discussed. I must also clearly state that nothing good comes from an adversarial relationship between law enforcement and the greater community.”
Burton said it’s time to have an open, honest conversation to create a safer community.
“Poverty, mental health, substance abuse, domestic violence, addiction, hopelessness, and other factors are very real and present throughout Evansville,” he wrote. “There needs to be appropriate measures implemented that keep our entire community safe as possible. For a long time, people have chosen not to confront this reality holistically.”
Cultural competency saves lives, Burton stated.
The term cultural competence refers to the ability to understand and respect values, beliefs and other differences among cultures. According to the Georgetown University National Center for Cultural Competence, it also includes using this understanding and respect in implementing programming.
“The ‘stressors’ that lead to very bad days are multiplying and lethal force cannot be the solution,” Burton stated. “And, if there is no change, then we can expect to keep experiencing tragedy unnecessarily. My prayers are with and for our community.”
Member of Evansville City Council
Rita Taylor, recently caucused in to represent the city’s Second Ward, addressed the body cam footage on her social media.
“I watched part of the video. I approached it with some optimism that it wouldn’t be what I thought it could be. It was worse. I’m sad,” she stated. “This could have, and should have, ended differently. I don’t believe this is about police training. I know too many officers, active and retired. I’ve seen the training work too many times to think it’s a curriculum issue.”
This article originally appeared on Evansville Courier & Press: Mayor Stephanie Terry addresses Evansville police fatally shooting man
Reporting by Sarah Loesch, Evansville Courier & Press / Evansville Courier & Press
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