Brooklyn family calls for change 3 years after son killed by police during mental health crisis
This summer, the Civilian Complaint Review Board ruled that the officers who shot Pierre acted within NYPD guidelines.
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The Pierre family says the upcoming holiday season is a painful reminder of their son, 26-year-old Eudes Pierre, who was fatally shot by police during a mental health crisis nearly three years ago.
Police say Pierre was brandishing a kitchen knife and ignored commands to drop it. Officers tased him before firing 10 shots, which killed him.
This summer, the Civilian Complaint Review Board ruled that the officers who shot Pierre acted within NYPD guidelines.
The Pierre family believes the outcome could have been different had mental health professionals been involved — and has been vocal in pushing for more mental health professionals to respond to crises instead of police.
"We’ve seen over and over that these situations turn fatal, when what people really need in that moment of vulnerability is help," said Sheina Banatte, Pierre's cousin.
At the same time, council members are advocating for the expansion of the city’s B-HEARD program, which pairs mental health professionals with EMTs to respond to certain 911 calls.
The Department of Justice has also filed a lawsuit against the city over its handling of mental health emergencies, arguing that the city’s reliance on police violates the Americans with Disabilities Act.
