Rep. Frederica Wilson (FL-17) received a formal response from the U.S. Department of Justice in regards to her inquiries for a full federal investigation into the recent fatal shootings of seven Black men by the Miami Police over the past eight months, an unusually and alarmingly high rate compared to recent years and similar metropolitan areas.
In the letter, Assistant Attorney General Ronald Weich assures Rep. Wilson that the Criminal and Special Litigation Sections of the U.S. Department of Justice will review all information provided to determine action appropriate to their authority.
In her letter, Rep. Wilson requested the “immediate personal assurance and intervention” of U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder in conducting a thorough investigation into the shootings of DeCarlos Moore, Joel Lee Johnson, Gibson Junior Belizaire, Tarnorris Tyrell Gaye, Brandon Foster, Lynn Weatherspoon, and Travis McNeil.
A copy of the DOJ letter, as well as Rep. Wilson’s original request, is attached.
For more information, please see the following story from the Miami Herald:
https://www.miamiherald.com/2011/04/01/2145484/request-move-forward-on-request.html
Rep. Frederica S. Wilson is a first-term congresswoman representing the 17th District of Florida, including Northern Miami-Dade and Southeast Broward Counties. She is a former state legislator and school principal and the founder of the 5000 Role Models for Excellence Project, a mentoring program for young males at risk of dropping out of school.