(ATLANTA) -- Linton Blackwell was shot 17 times by an off-duty cop.
The horrifying fact was presented to the Atlanta City Council Monday night during public comment.
The Dec. 1 meeting lasted five and a half hours, continuing the theme of long meetings.
The OpGov.ai platform reports, “this extensive recognition, including a video tribute and numerous speeches, starkly contrasted with the subsequent public comment period, which was fraught with intense anger, grief, and demands for justice regarding the police shooting death of Linton Blackwell.”
Blackwell, a 44-year-old man, was killed shot nearly 20 times this past October by off-duty police officer Gerald Walker. The number of shots fired outside of a Buckhead bar is surprising.
Blackwell has two 15-year-old daughters, Destiny and Dynasty, according to a report from Rough Draft Atlanta.
Atlanta resident Jabari Gibson shared his thoughts about the incident.
Jabari Gibson speaks at the Atlanta City Council meeting (Photo: Atlanta City Council YouTube)
“A very close friend of mine was shot 17 times in the back,” Gibson said. “We really here for justice because I don’t understand how could a person be causing you any kind of harm if they back turned to you.”
Gibson claims Blackwell was a close friend and is puzzled why there’s been no justice for the cruel act.
“He was one of our loved ones,” Gibson said. “If it were us, we would be in jail facing murder charges.”
OpGov.ai reached out to the Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI) for comment.
Email sent to Georgia Bureau of Investigation
GBI Public Affairs office responded.
OpGov.ai receives response from Georgia Bureau of Investigation
“The GBI was requested to investigate the officer-involved shooting,” Public Affairs Specialist Jade Hensel said. “The investigation remains active and ongoing at this time.”
Gibson’s comments continue a theme/trend of residents seeking justice and holding police officers accountable. Valerie Anderson has spoken about the loss of her son Devon, who was also killed by a police officer.
Other residents spoke up for Blackwell. Atlanta resident Joseph Reed stepped up to the podium, looking for answers.
Joseph Reed speaks at the Atlanta City Council meeting( Photo: Atlanta City Council YouTube)
“We are here today to demand a lot of transparency from you guys,” Reed said. “Demand accountability from Atlanta Police Department, Georgia Bureau of Investigations and Fulton County.”
Reed questioned why the police officer who shot Blackwell still has a job.
Pain could be heard in Reed and Gibson's voices.
Blackwell’s situation is depressing, heartbreaking, and unfair. The Atlanta City Council and other agencies must find ways to keep people safe and end tragic deaths.
An estimated 250,000 civilian injuries are caused by law enforcement annually, according to the Law Enforcement Epidemiology Project. The project also states that Black males comprise 6.1 percent of the population, but 24.9% of all persons killed by law enforcement.
The attention on Blackwell overshadowed OpGov.ai’s platform's coverage, reporting “the Atlanta City Council meeting, ostensibly a regular session, was largely dominated by a prolonged and celebratory farewell to outgoing Council Member Howard Shook, consuming a significant portion of the meeting's initial hours.”
Councilmember Howard Shook in tribute video (Photo: Atlanta City Council YouTube)
Councilmember Shook was honored for 24 years of work and six terms of service. Shook is retiring, and the Atlanta City Council presented a video showing respect for his hard work. He was elected in 2001 and has served on several council standing committees.
“I’ll tell you why politicians sometimes stick around a long time,” Shook said. “Being able to solve problems is addictive. It’s a great feeling whether it’s for the city, the district, the neighborhood, or a single household.”
Mayor Andre Dickens paid his respects to Shook.
“There’s going to be a course of voices for the one and only Howard Shook,” Dickens said. “He is so deserving of our applause, our appreciation, our thanks, and our congratulations.”
Dickens described Shook as a leader like no other.
Mayor Andre Dickens honors Council member Howard Shook (Photo: Atlanta City Council YouTube)
The honoring shows the Atlanta City Council cares about their colleagues, also noting Council President Doug Shipman at the Nov. 17 meeting.
OpGov.ai wishes Shook a healthy, happy retirement.
If you have any additional comments, questions, or concerns, please contact jorden.h@lead4earth.org.
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