Community members gather for a vigil honoring Stephen Mason, advocating for justice and transparency.
The family of Stephen Mason is urging an independent investigation into his fatal shooting by a Michigan State trooper during a traffic stop. Allegations of conflicting accounts regarding the incident prompt calls for transparency and accountability. Lawyers representing the family seek to uncover the truth, amid fears of police misconduct. Mason, remembered as a community-oriented individual, left behind no immediate family and the investigation has sparked broader discussions about police conduct, particularly concerning people of color.
Detroit – The family of Stephen Mason has demanded an independent investigation into the fatal shooting of the 41-year-old man by a Michigan State trooper on May 16. Mason was shot three times, sustaining injuries to his chest and head during a traffic stop that escalated into a violent confrontation.
The family alleges that Mason was lying on the ground when he was shot, contradicting the police’s version of events which states that a physical altercation occurred and that Mason fired at the trooper during the incident. In light of these conflicting accounts, the family is calling for a witness who reportedly saw the incident to come forward to provide an unbiased account of what transpired.
According to Leonard Mungo, the family’s attorney, the request for an independent prosecutor to investigate the shooting has been addressed to Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel. The family seeks transparency and an impartial perspective on the case, emphasizing that they intend to pursue the truth without defending Mason’s conduct if it is found that he acted violently towards police.
The circumstances surrounding the incident unfold during a traffic stop on the southbound Lodge Freeway near Wyoming Avenue in Detroit, initiated based on an alleged traffic violation. Both the dashboard camera and the trooper’s body camera captured the events leading up to the shooting, according to statements from Michigan State Police. The Detroit Police Department Homicide Task Force, which includes personnel from both the DPD and MSP, is currently investigating the shooting.
In a recent news conference held in Bingham Farms, Mungo reiterated the family’s need for complete transparency concerning the police footage that documents the encounter. As the investigation continues, the family expresses urgency in finding closure regarding Mason’s death.
Friends and family of Mason remember him as a community-oriented individual committed to local projects and supporting others. He was cremated about a week after the incident and is described by those close to him as having a “fun-loving” spirit, with no children or significant other left behind.
The call for an independent investigation stems from increasing concerns about police conduct in Michigan, notably in incidents involving people of color. Mungo stressed the necessity for objective and transparent investigations in order to restore public trust in law enforcement. The Mason family’s demands reflect a broader societal expectation for accountability in policing, particularly in communities that have faced disproportionate challenges with law enforcement interactions.
As the investigation unfolds and more details emerge, the Mason family continues to seek answers and validation regarding the circumstances surrounding Stephen Mason’s death, underscoring a persistent need for justice and truth within the community.
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