Civil rights attorney Ben Crump has stepped in to represent Donald Armstrong, a Miami man who was shot multiple times by City of Miami Police officers on March 7th.
The incident, captured on video, has sparked outrage and calls for justice from the community.
Armstrong was shot near the entrance of a home on Northwest 57th Street and 7th Court, following a call from his mother regarding a mental health crisis.
The video footage shows Armstrong holding what police allege was a sharp object before being tased twice and subsequently shot by officers.
Despite being the victim of police gunfire, Armstrong now faces charges of aggravated assault on police.
Crump, along with fellow attorney Larry Handfield, is representing Armstrong and his family, asserting that what the video depicts is not criminal behavior but a man victimized by police brutality.
Speaking on behalf of Armstrong, Crump highlighted the disproportionate use of force against Black individuals experiencing mental health crises.
Armstrong, who was shot six times and is now experiencing paralysis, did not deserve to be treated “like a dog,” according to Crump.
“Miami Police shot and paralyzed Donald Armstrong, and now they’re charging HIM with aggravated assault?! @bencrumplaw and co-counsels are demanding these charges be dropped,” Crump captioned a video of the gruesome incident posted on Instagram.
The attorneys are also advocating for transparency and accountability from law enforcement.
They argue that Armstrong’s case underscores systemic issues within policing, particularly in cases involving mental health.
Following the shooting, Miami Police Chief Manuel Morales issued a statement expressing a commitment to transparency and accountability within the department.
However, community members and witnesses have expressed shock and dismay over the incident, with some describing it as an excessive use of force by law enforcement.
Crump and Handfield are determined to seek justice for Armstrong and his family.
Civil rights attorney Ben Crump has stepped in to represent Donald Armstrong, a Miami man who was shot multiple times by City of Miami Police officers on March 7th.
The incident, captured on video, has sparked outrage and calls for justice from the community.
Armstrong was shot near the entrance of a home on Northwest 57th Street and 7th Court, following a call from his mother regarding a mental health crisis.
The video footage shows Armstrong holding what police allege was a sharp object before being tased twice and subsequently shot by officers.
Despite being the victim of police gunfire, Armstrong now faces charges of aggravated assault on police.
Crump, along with fellow attorney Larry Handfield, is representing Armstrong and his family, asserting that what the video depicts is not criminal behavior but a man victimized by police brutality.
Speaking on behalf of Armstrong, Crump highlighted the disproportionate use of force against Black individuals experiencing mental health crises.
Armstrong, who was shot six times and is now experiencing paralysis, did not deserve to be treated “like a dog,” according to Crump.
“Miami Police shot and paralyzed Donald Armstrong, and now they’re charging HIM with aggravated assault?! @bencrumplaw and co-counsels are demanding these charges be dropped,” Crump captioned a video of the gruesome incident on Instagram.
The attorneys are also advocating for transparency and accountability from law enforcement.
They argue that Armstrong’s case underscores systemic issues within policing, particularly in cases involving mental health.
Following the shooting, Miami Police Chief Manuel Morales issued a statement expressing a commitment to transparency and accountability within the department.
However, community members and witnesses have expressed shock and dismay over the incident, with some describing it as an excessive use of force by law enforcement.
Crump and Handfield are determined to seek justice for Armstrong and his family.
