The American Civil Liberties Union is asking for more information on a deadly shooting of a transgender person who was shot by a Sharon, Pennsylvania, police officer.
Police released 911 calls from Cynthia Loya, who told them her son threatened to harm her and himself. Loya's son, Sean Marie Hake, who was transitioning from male to female, was shot and killed.
ACLU executive director Reggie Shuford issued a statement that read in part: “Relations between the transgender community and law enforcement have long been fraught. In the wake of Sean's tragic death, we must insist that police and prosecutors respect transgender Pennsylvanians and work to build strong, positive relationships with the community.
Loya called 911 late Friday and said, “My son is trying to kill me. … He had razor blades in my neck and he’s trying to get me to take him to the store and take all my money. He said if I called the police he’s going to slit his throat."
Loya was urged no to go back to the house, but told dispatchers about the possibility of more weapons.
“I don’t know if he has a gun because I have weapons in the house, and I don’t know if he took one of them or not,” she said.
Police said they showed up at the house and shot Hake after the situation “escalated.”
Three Sharon police officers have been placed on administrative leave and now the ACLU wants the Mercer County district attorney to release information including video, audio and the name of the officer who shot Hake.
Police said they don’t plan on releasing more information while the investigation is ongoing.
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