According to PSL Tampa Bay and St. Pete Cop Watch – organizers of a protest on Friday outside St. Pete Police Department – public pressure was crucial to obtaining camera footage showing Officer Leighton Williams shooting 17-year-old Christopher Tuncel. Pressure is what they plan to apply until Tuncel is released, charges against him are dropped, and the officer who was unjustly shot faces repercussions.
In the presence of dozens of protesters and several media outlets, the gathering began around 6pm with an emotional appearance from Christopher Tunnel’s mother, Catherine Jones, who addressed the steps that must be taken in order to achieve justice.
“When did you fear for your life and why did you think it was okay to shoot my son?” Then he continues to lie, lie and hide evidence. Jones said while crying. “He has high blood pressure, can’t keep up his food, and has panic attacks. His life has literally been ruined, and why?”
Jones said her son spends 23 hours a day alone, and has lost more than 40 pounds during his time in Pinellas County Jail.
Although this rally did not leave the new police headquarters in St. Pete, chants like “When black lives are under attack, what are we going to do?! Rise and fight!” echoes could be heard from a group of about 40 protesters. There was no police presence other than rows of barricades erected in front of the entrance.
Since the shooting of 17-year-old Tuncel on October 20, observers and attendees have noted inconsistencies in law enforcement’s account surrounding the incident, although the Pinellas County Task Force on the Use of Force deemed it a “lawful” shooting after conduct their own investigations. From CL’s recent story about the shooting:
Activists say the beginning of the video shows evidence that Williams unnecessarily fired Tonsel, while the Pinellas said Tonsel’s eyes in the video looked as if he was “getting a target.”
On October 25, five days after the incident, Sheriff Bob Gualtieri said during a press conference that Tuncel aimed his gun at Williams. Instead, the report says, Tonsel appears to have pulled out the firearm and headed toward Williams, causing him to fear for his life and fire a single shot at Tonsel. When asked about the difference between Gualtieri’s statement and the report’s findings, the PCSO’s Public Information Officer (PIO) told CL that when Gualtieri spoke, details of the investigation were still unfolding and that Sharif began his statement in October with that in mind.
Tonsel is currently being charged as an adult with aggravated assault, concealed carrying of a firearm, and possession of a firearm by an individual under the age of 18.
About halfway through the action, his mother, Jones, was forced to turn away, as PSL Tampa Bay’s Carla Correia stepped in to read the letter for her. Tuncel’s mother’s statement was directed directly to Officer Williams.
“How many times have you twisted the truth to fit your version?” I read Carla standing in front of a body-bombed camera still filming Christopher’s pistol.
Although there were SPPD supporters expressing their opinions online, the Friday night protest was generally without response, with one man shouting “He tried to shoot a policeman!” While he was speeding in his truck. The Bodycam video doesn’t even show Tonsel aiming his rifle at Williams.
The last person to address the crowd – as the sun set in Saint Petersburg – was Tuncel’s tiny little cousin, who stood before “One hit is one hit all!” A banner turned into a crowd of protesters.
“I go to school every day, I feel so sad because everyone talks about the situation and then they go home without seeing him or talking to him,” said the little girl. “I just wanted to say thank you all for coming and being here to protest with us.”
Her impromptu speech was met with thunderous applause and support from the dozens of protesters present, as the rally quietly approached.
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