CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — The family of a deaf man who was shot and killed by a North Carolina state trooper after he didn’t stop for the officer’s blue lights says he was unarmed and likely did not understand the officer’s commands.
Daniel Harris’ family said they want to make sure the incident is investigated thoroughly.
Harris’ family is raising money for his funeral on YouCaring.com. They posted that any extra money will be used for educating police officers on how to handle people with hearing impairments and calling for a system to alert officers they are dealing with a deaf driver.
Authorities say Harris led Trooper Jermaine Saunders on a 10-mile chase to his neighborhood Thursday night after Saunders tried to pull him over for speeding on Interstate 485.
The North Carolina Highway Patrol is urging caution about jumping to conclusions in the shooting death of a deaf driver by a trooper after the man didn’t stop for the officer’s blue lights.
In a statement Tuesday, Secretary Frank Perry of the state Department of Public Safety urged people to not make assumptions or draw conclusions prior to independent and internal reviews by the patrol, the State Bureau of Investigation and the district attorney. The department oversees the Highway Patrol.