Black activists decry shooting of teenager

Jen Lawson

Friday, Oct. 25, 2002 | 10:04 a.m.

The New Black Panther Party and other black activist organizations are speaking out against the shooting last week of a 16-year-old boy by a Metro Police officer.

Kenny X, spokesman for the New Black Panther Party of Las Vegas, said unlike New York, Los Angeles and Philadelphia, the community of Las Vegas has been "laying dormant" when perceived police brutality occurrs.

A 16-year-old, who is black, was shot last week in the Summerhill apartment complex at East Owens Avenue and Pecos Road by a white police officer who thought the male teen was armed. Police said the teen had a realistic looking pellet gun.

The officer is on paid administrative leave while the incident is investigated. The boy was treated at a hospital and released, and is being held in a juvenile detention facility on charges of fleeing.

"I think it was racially motivated," Kenny X said. "These situations aren't new. I don't think it's a lack of training. If they feel they can get away with it, they do it."

Police are sometimes justified in using force, he said, but he feels cops hide behind their badges when these incidents happen.

"They always complain the suspect had a weapon," he said. "I don't think a young man whose back is turned and whose hand is up in the air, I don't think that's justified."

A rally is planned for the near future -- the date hasn't been finalized -- which would involve the New Black Panther Party, National Action Network Alliance and the Nation of Islam. It's expected to be held in front of the juvenile facility where the 16-year-old teen is being held.

"Our organization, along with several others, felt we needed to get together to alleviate the problem between the police and the community," he said.