Jaheim McMillan, 15, died Saturday when he was taken off life support at the USA Health University Hospital in Mobile, Ala. Two days before police in Gulfport, Miss., shot him in the head.
Now, McMillan’s family is questioning the actions of the officers who fatally wounded the Black Gulfport High School freshman, according to the SunHerald.
NBC News reported that McMillan was in the parking lot of a Family Dollar store in Gulfport, the second largest city in Mississippi, at around 2:30 p.m.
Thursday when police shot him. According to a police press release cited by the outlet, officers responded to the area due to a 911 call about minors waving guns at motorists. When authorities arrived, the minors fled, said the release.
Gulfport Police Chief Adam Cooper said an officer engaged an “armed suspect” identified as McMillan, which ultimately resulted in the shots that claimed the teen’s life. However, his family does not believe that McMillan was armed.
McMillan was transported from the scene “suffering from a single gunshot wound,” said NBC.
According to NBC, police did not provide the race or name of the officer, who “has been placed on non-enforcement duties in accordance with procedures,” per the department news release.
“In a video taken by a bystander after the shots were fired, McMillan could be seen on the ground in front of the door to the store,” said NBC News. “A witness said police handcuffed the teenager after he had been shot. Cooper said police took four other suspects, all believed to be minors, into custody, and several firearms were recovered from the scene.”
Relatives of McMillan have called for camera footage of the incident to be released. He is survived by his mother, Katrina Mateen, and other family.
After more than 24 hours on life support, McMillan died shortly before 5 p.m. Saturday. Representatives for the USA University Hospital could not immediately be reached, said NBC.
According to the SunHerald, Gulfport police officers also shot and killed Jaheim’s uncle, Marvin Ray McMillan, in March 2018 when he barricaded himself in a home and shot at police.
Family, friends and loved ones of the teen gathered for a candlelight vigil at the Family Dollar store shortly after his death. A GoFundMe account has been set up to help Jaheim McMillan’s mother with expenses following her son’s passing. As of Tuesday evening, a little over $2,600 had been raised towards a $30,000 goal.
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