Justice for Husien Shehada! July 14, 2009

Please come out to show your support for the Shehada family! This memorial is open to one and all!

Community members will be given an opportunity to pay their respects to the Shehada family. They will also be given an opportunity to contribute to a fund set up in Husien's name. Proceeds from this fund will assist the family in their quest for justice in the senseless killing of the young man they loved so much. It is their hope that in doing so, they can prevent other families from experiencing the pain they struggle with daily.

If you are unable to attend but wish to contribute to this cause, please visit http://www.justiceforshehada.com

On June 14, 2009, 29 year old Woodbridge resident Husien Shehada was nearing the end of his Miami vacation. After a night out, the small business owner decided to stop off at a convenience store before going back his room at the Loews Miami Beach Hotel. While walking down Washington Avenue with his older brother he was suddenly confronted by 7 Miami Beach police officers. With guns drawn the officers demanded that the brothers "put their hands up!". As Husien Shehada raised his arms in both compliance and confusion a lone officer fired a lethal bullet into his chest. His last living movement was to lower his arms to cover his fatal wound as he catapults backwards and falls to his death on the sidewalk.

As Husien lay dying on the pavement, Miami Beach police officers immediately threw his brother Samer in the back of a cop car. Samer, an Engineer with Lockheed Martin was then charged with domestic battery on his girlfriend. A claim she strongly denies and sought to prove on the evening news. During an interview with a Miami reporter less than 24 hours after the incident, there was no trace of the alleged beating. To prove her point, she asks the reporter to find a single mark supporting the claims made by MBPD. He then looks her over and tells Miami viewers he is unable to locate a single bruise or scratch.

As Husiens death hit the news, Miami Beach PD stated they received several 911 calls reporting a man waving a gun. They went on to say that the description matched that of Husien and his brother Samer who wore white tee shirts and jeans. The MBPD spokesman stated the shooting was justified as there was "a confrontation" with the brothers and they were non compliant to the officers demands. Shortly after that statement, surveillance video showing the shooting was released. This video showed a clear contradiction to the MBPD account of the shooting. In Miami, alarmed residents demanded answers from the Police Department. One with a long documented history of corruption, overzealous officers and witness intimidation.

In the video, The Shehada brothers are seen walking down Washington Avenue and suddenly turning as they are surrounded by officers. They immediately walk towards the curb and begin to raise their arms. In a matter of 2 seconds, Husien Shehada lay dying on the ground as his big brother looks on in horror.

Husien Shehada was unarmed, as was his brother. It took several days for the MBPD to acknowledge this.

Less than 4 days later, the same officer Adam Tavss was discreetly placed back on active duty. The same day he resumed duty he shot and killed another unarmed man. Once again, the initial statements from the police regarding this shooting claimed this man was armed. Only after several days of continued demands from the public, reporters and family members did the MBPD acknowledge that this man too was unarmed.

Please come out and show your support! Show the officers of the Miami Beach Police Department that they are not above the laws they are paid to uphold.

http://www.miamiherald.com/opinion/editorials/story/1133621.html#none
http://www.miamibeach411.com/news/index.php?/news/comments/unarmed-tourist/
http://www.nbcmiami.com/news/local/Miami-Cop-With-Four-Kills-Still-Racking-Up-Complaints.html