The mother of 19-year-old Seattle liquor store robber who was shot dead by cops while fleeing a robbery demands an apology for her son’s fake TOMB STONE spotted in the precinct break room
- Damarius Butts, 19, was killed on April 20, 2017 while fleeing a robbery at a downtown supermarket
- In one video, a small gray dummy tombstone can be seen on the shelf in the officers’ break room
The mother of a Seattle liquor store robber who was shot by police has demanded an apology after a fake headstone for her son was discovered in a precinct break room.
Damarius Butts, 19, was killed on April 20, 2017 while fleeing a robbery at a downtown supermarket. He attempted to steal beer before officers chased him and fired shots.
But now video shows a small gray headstone on the shelf in the Seattle Police Department’s East Precinct break room, with his name and the date of his assassination written on it.
A clenched black fist was visible on Butts’ tombstone. On the night of his death, he sustained 11 gunshot wounds and bled to death while officers waited outside.
Damarius Butts, 19, was killed on April 20, 2017 while fleeing a robbery at a downtown supermarket. In one video, a small gray dummy headstone can be seen on the shelf in the officers’ break room, engraved with his name and the date he was killed
The fake tombstone can be seen on the top shelf in the left frame
Butts’ name and the date of his murder were on the tombstone
After a subsequent investigation, the police released the officers and found the shooting to be justified.
Ann Butts is now demanding an apology from the police for her fake image.
However, police said they had “no reason to believe it was a ‘trophy’ or a pejorative intention”.
Butts said of her attorney, La Rond Baker, “I cannot put into words how hurtful it was to learn that the SPD was joking about the murder of my son by showing a fake headstone with his name on it.”
“I didn’t think that the SPD could ask me more.” I was wrong.’
Baker added, “We are even more disturbed that the SPD has allowed such a culture to flourish so openly in its ranks and in its district agencies.” to protect Seattle residents.”
The bodycam footage showing the tombstone on the shelf was captured in January 2021 and released as part of an entirely separate lawsuit against police.
On the night of his death, Butts sustained 11 gunshot wounds and bled to death while officers waited outside
Alongside the remains of various Black Lives Matter events in Seattle, a Trump 2020 flag also hung on the wall in the break room — possibly in violation of state law and the need for partisan politics by the police on duty
Seattle Police Chief Adrian Diaz
Protesters hold a rally and demonstration in front of the Seattle Police Department’s East Precinct, which is boarded up and protected by fences, on June 8, 2020
Baker said the headstone was allegedly taken from a Black Lives Matter memorial to people killed by police.
Also hanging on the wall of the room was a protester’s sign urging police to “stop killing us.”
Alongside the remains of various Black Lives Matter events in Seattle, a Trump 2020 flag also hung on the wall in the break room — possibly in violation of state law and the need for partisan politics by the police on duty.
The department has confirmed that the statue has since been removed.
Braden Pence, an attorney who obtained the video because he was suing SPD over the graffiti arrests, said he released it “because Seattle people have a right to know their police department.”
“The video features a break room adorned with disturbing trophies and iconography.”
“It’s disgusting to occasionally display the headstone of someone you killed in your break room.”
“The Butts family deserve a heartfelt apology for the appalling disrespect shown by the SPD.” District leadership either tacitly approved or willfully ignored what happened in the break room.”