In a press release issued by the Trumbull County National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) on Monday, the civil rights organization called for a “credible” investigation into the officer-involved shooting death of a Niles man.
Matthew Burroughs was killed by Niles police on Jan. 2 near the Royal Mall Apartments.
On Monday, the Trumbull County coroner ruled his death as a homicide.
According to Niles Police Capt. John Marshall, an officer was trying to arrest Burroughs when he ran away and tried to hit the officer with his car.
Trumbull County NAACP President Annette McCoy commented in the press release that Burroughs is a “victim of circumstance or color.”
She said the situation “demonstrates the disarray within our country.”
The local NAACP called for the following in the press release:
- A credible investigation into the incident and accountability for the law enforcement officer’s actions.
- Establishment of a civilian review board with subpoena power.
- The U.S. Department of Justice to launch a full criminal and “pattern and practice” investigation into the shooting and other complaints within the Niles Police Department.
- Congress to enact legislation to mandate official standards for and training in the use of force for all law enforcement officers. The community to reach out to elected officials to support this mandate.
- Immediate action on the requirement of body cams within the Trumbull County enforcement officers.
The Bureau of Criminal Investigation is investigating what led up to the shooting, which could take months.
