Protesters Pack Zion City Hall, Demand Cops Wear Body Cams
(CBS) -- Protesters in Zion renewed their demands to equip police officers with body-cams.
A group packed Zion's city hall Tuesday night following the Easter Sunday shooting of a teenager by a police officer.
Justus Howell was shot twice in the back by an officer after he allegedly ran down a street with a gun he took from another man.
CBS 2's Mike Parker headed to Zion where protesters are calling for change.
An overflow crowd of some 200 packed the Zion City Council meeting Tuesday night, the first since the April 4 police shooting of the 17-year-old Howell.
There was anger from many of the residents.
"In the Western days, when a guy was shot in the back, the guy who shot him was automatically guilty," said Zion resident Anthony McIntyre.
"All I am asking is that we get justice in Zion," said community activist Clyde McLemore. "I got three sons. I'm worried when they leave the house."
Community activist Chris Blanks said there have been complaints to the city council and the police department prior to Howell's shooting and that, "this is usually what happens when complains fall on deaf ears."
There was also a call from local clergy for guaranteed police accountability.
"We support legislation and funding to provide body cameras for all patrol officers in the city of Zion," said Zion Baptist minister Rev. Robert Williams.
Mayor Lane Harrison said both he and the police department are in favor of body cameras. The major stumbling block to acquiring those cameras the mayor said is there cost, which aren't cheap.
The Lake County Major Crimes Task Force is investigating the Howell shooting.
The police officer involved has been placed on desk duty, pending the outcome of the investigation.
