The family of 13-year-old Stanley “SJ” Davis III confronted the Boynton Beach Mayor, demanding that the police be held accountable for the child’s death.
Stanley’s mother, Shannon Thompson, told the mayor that the family wanted justice for her son during a city commission meeting in Boynton Beach, Florida, on Jan. 4.
“We are here for justice” Thompson said. “We would like some accountability.
SJ’s father, Stanley Davis Jr., also asked city council members to hold the police accountable and to put themselves in his place.
“I don’t want you guys to do more than what you feel is right. That’s all I ask,” he said. “It’s tearing me apart to know that in his final moments [SJ] was alone, he was afraid.”
Stanley died on Dec. 26 after the Boynton Beach police chased him and his dirt bike crashed. The Boynton Beach Police Department claimed they pursued Stanley on his bike because he had driven recklessly.
“Preliminary investigation indicates that the dirt bike operator was observed driving recklessly on Boynton Beach Boulevard. Officers attempted a traffic stop, and the dirt bike went down in the 800 block of North Federal Highway.”
The family and their attorney, Ben Crump, reject the police narrative that the police had cause to pursue the teen on his bike due to their policy.
“There never should have been a high-speed pursuit and it never should have resulted in the death of a child,” said Crump. “The Boynton Beach Police Department’s own policy is that pursuits should only be initiated if the officer reasonably believes the person fleeing has committed a felony. We’re talking about a child.”
The Boynton Beach Police Department policy does state that police should only pursue suspects fleeing a felony.
“Vehicular pursuits will be initiated only if the officer reasonably believes that the person(s) fleeing has committed a forcible felony.”
The teenager had received the dirt bike the day before his death as a Christmas present, and the family is distraught.
SJ’s cousin, Shamarie Davis, demanded that Boynton Beach Mayor Steven Grant keep the promise he made as a mayoral candidate.
“I need you to look me in my eye one more time and I need you to tell me you’re going to do the best that you can do,” said Davis.
“As long as I’m the mayor, I will do the best that I can to make sure there’s justice for SJ,” replied Grant.
It remains to be seen if Grant will keep his word.
