The early release of a White police officer convicted of killing an unarmed Black man in 2016 has sparked outrage among residents of Montgomery, Alabama.
In a case that has drawn widespread attention and criticism, Alabama Attorney General Steve Marshall’s intervention led to the release of Aaron Cody Smith, a former officer, less than two years into his sentence.
Smith was convicted of fatally shooting 58-year-old Greg Gunn, an unarmed black man, on his neighbor’s front porch.
The tragic incident occurred on the morning of November 25, 2016, when Greg Gunn, returning home from a friend’s house, was targeted by Officer Smith during a neighborhood patrol.
Smith admitted to beating Gunn with his baton and punching him before fatally shooting him. Smith claimed the shooting was justified, alleging that Gunn had retrieved a paint roller from his neighbor’s porch.
However, there was no video evidence of the interaction as Smith failed to activate his body camera or nearby surveillance cameras.
Greg Gunn, described as a caring son who lived with his elderly mother in Montgomery’s historic African-American neighborhood of Mobile Heights, succumbed to his injuries at the scene.
His death left the community devastated, as Gunn was known for his commitment to his family and community. His father, Frank Gunn Jr., was among the first black officers in the Montgomery Police Department, and Greg Gunn was the second child in a family of eight siblings.
Living in a neighborhood filled with middle-class black families, Gunn’s legacy of caring for his family and supporting his community resonated deeply with residents.
His tragic death at the hands of law enforcement underscored longstanding issues of racial injustice and police violence in Montgomery.
The release of Officer Smith has reignited calls for accountability and justice from the victim’s family, civil rights activists, and members of the community who are demanding transparency and accountability in cases of police misconduct.
As Montgomery grapples with the aftermath of this controversial decision, many are calling for systemic changes to address racial disparities and ensure that tragedies like Greg Gunn’s death are never repeated.
