On New Year’s Day, Oscar Grant, III (above) was fatally shot in the back by a subway police officer. The event occurred on California’s Bay Area Rapid Transit system (BART) and was thankfully captured on film by several onlookers within the station. Video footage clearly shows that the unarmed Grant was cooperating with authorities, who had also detained several other young men.  I posted the original video footage to show the inhumanity of the shooting.  It is very disturbing to watch so please view at your own risk:

Grant holds up his hands, appearing to plead with police. Burris said Tuesday that Grant was asking police not to use a Taser.

“He said to them, ‘Don’t Tase me; I have a 4-year-old daughter,’ ” Burris said.

The interaction on the video is not audible.

Seconds later, police put Grant face-down on the ground. Grant appears to struggle.

One of the officers kneels on Grant as another officer stands up, tugs at his gun, unholsters it and fires a shot into Grant’s back.

Burris said the bullet went through Grant’s back and then ricocheted off the floor and through his lungs.

Grant, who has a 4-year-old daughter, died seven hours later. (Source)

The officer has yet to make a statement but the family of the fallen father has filed a $25 million dollar claim against the BART police officers and are alleging that they violated Grant’s civil rights, illegally detained him and used excessive force. Press conference video below:

We can’t stand for this. Not now….not ever!