‘Blood On Her Hands’: Group Protests Dropped Charges In Officer-Involved Shootings, Calls For Federal Investigation

Outrage was voiced outside the Oklahoma County Courthouse on Thursday in response to criminal charges dropped against seven metro police officers involved in three deadly shootings. Local civil rights leaders and activists are calling for the federal government to investigate.

Related: Oklahoma City Police Chief, Village Police Chief Release Statements After Charges Dropped In Multiple Officer-Involved Shootings

Specifically, the groups are calling for the United States Attorney General, The Department of Justice and the Oklahoma Attorney General’s Office to investigate what they called three police-involved murders.

Cries for justice in what the group called the "People's Court" outside the Oklahoma County Courthouse in downtown Oklahoma City.

“Today is just one of those days we want to express the disappointment in the system that has failed us,” said Garland Pruitt, Oklahoma City NAACP President.   

The civil and human rights leaders voiced outrage in Oklahoma County District Attorney Vicki Behenna’s dismissal of criminal charges against six Oklahoma City officers and one Village officer. The officers were involved in the 2020 deadly shootings of Stavian Rodriguez, Bennie Edwards and Christopher Poor.

“Vicki Behenna has blood on her hands,” said Mark Faulk, People’s Council.

The group did not agree with Behenna's choice to hire an outside "use of force" expert for the criminal investigation.

“DA Behenna, we certainly challenge you and your decision on hiring an outside use of force expert that was experienced in law enforcement and a history of bias against victims of police brutality,” said Sandra Harris, Poor People’s Campaign.

One of the speakers said three of the Oklahoma City officers recently released from charges have used deadly force before. The group voiced fear that deadly police shootings will increase if the federal government or the state attorney general does not step in. 

“These agencies have both jurisdiction, duty and scope to be able to take on these investigations upon request,” said Sara Bana, civil rights activist.

The group plans to file paperwork with the DOJ next week.

The office of the Oklahoma Attorney General offered a comment in response to the press conference: "Local district attorneys have full discretion to file or dismiss charges. The Office of Attorney General is not aware of any evidence to suggest that discretion has been abused."