The FBI Columbia Field Office, the U.S. attorney for South Carolina and the Department of Justice Civil Right Division will participate in the investigation into Zachary Hammond’s death, according to a DOJ release.
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“The Hammond family hopes and trusts that the United States Justice Department will investigate the death of their son with the same intensity and thoroughness as it has demonstrated in other interracial settings”, the family lawyers’ statement said.
It has not been made clear, however, exactly why police converged on Hammond’s vehicle – as he wasn’t the target of any criminal investigation or sting operation.
“We just want answers”.
According to the Post and Courier newspaper, Hammond and the woman were on a first date and eating ice cream on the night of the shooting.
Hammond’s date reportedly had a small amount of marijuana, and cops claims he tried to drive off when Lt. Mark Tiller approached.
The officer accused of shooting Hammond has been put on administrative leave.
His family maintains that an autopsy shows that Hammond was shot was through the driver’s side window from behind, according to the AP.
The officer opened fire – in self-defense, police say – after the unarmed teen accelerated and drove toward the officer.
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Bland said, “He was a 19-year-old, 121-pound kid killed basically for a joint”. “He didn’t have his wallet on him, so they didn’t know who he was”.
