Unarmed Bernard Monroe Sr. died on February 20th, 2009, a white police officer in Homer, Louisiana gunned down the unarmed 73-year-old black cancer survivor in his own home during a family reunion and then allegedly attempted to tamper with evidence to make the shooting appear to be a case of self-defense.
Bernard Monroe, who was frail and had lost his voice due to throat cancer, hosted a small family reunion on February 20th, 2009 in the small city of Homer, Louisiana. The reunion gave him the opportunity to spend time with his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. His son, Sean, was among those in attendance.
Police were also looking for Sean Monroe that day, as they thought he might be a witness in an upcoming case. Two white police officers interrupted the gathering searching for Monroe, who fled into his father's house.
According to witnesses, officers did not follow normal police protocols in pursuing Sean Monroe. Officer Tim Cox charged towards the Monroe home, saw the elder Bernard Monroe on the other side of it, and shot him repeatedly through the screen.
Cox said he mistook Monroe's sports drink bottle for a firearm, shot him,
Cox refused to call an ambulance to treat Monroe--instead asking for backup with an "Officer in distress" code. The other officer then allegedly put on gloves and moved Monroe's rifle, which he kept on the porch for self-defense, close to the body so that it would appear that he was armed at the time of the shooting.
The family settled the case for 125,000 dollars.
The family settled the case for 125,000 dollars.