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Justice needed in police-involved shootings, say supporters of slain Zion teen

Relatives, friends and others who have lost family members to police shootings rallied Monday in Zion to mark the anniversary Justus Howell's death and to put authorities on notice that what they described as a broken justice system must change.

Relatives, friends and others who have lost family members to police shootings rallied Monday in Zion to mark the anniversary Justus Howell's death and to put authorities on notice that what they described as a broken justice system must change.

"This is what democracy looks like," LaToya Howell, the mother of the 17-year-old who was shot and killed April 4, 2015 by a Zion police officer, said through an amplifying device.

She led about 75 activists and others on a two-block walk from the spot her son was killed to the Zion police station. Many marchers carried signs and posters to bring attention to the issue of police-involved shootings.

The peaceful commemoration of Howell's life included a balloon release and words from relatives, leaders of various organizations and mothers of children from other states who died after being shot by police.

"Justus Howell was a beautiful soul. We're all here for one cause and that's to get justice," LaToya Howell told the crowd. "It doesn't just happen in Illinois. I don't stand alone," she added.

The sometimes fiery rally was part of the National Families Stolen Lives Tour, a joint project led by New York City resident Juanita Young, whose son was killed in 2000, and Rev. Jerome McCorry from the Dayton-based Adam Project Inc. The 38-city tour started two weeks ago in Cleveland and is scheduled for Baltimore next week.

"We've gotten sick and tired of it and we're not taking it any more. It is time to make a change and we've come to let Zion know," McCorry said during the rally, which often was punctuated by chants from the crowd.

Before he addressed the gathering, McCrory said there has been some progress in the year since Howell was killed.

"Anita Alvarez loses an election, it's not an accident," he said of the recent primary election loss by the Cook County state's attorney. "That's a beginning, but it cannot be the end. They system has to be changed," and police held accountable, he added.

Leron Shelby, who said he has lived in Zion two years and has 9- and 10-year-old children, was at the rally to show his support. He said he lives near where Howell was shot, and children go to a store nearby.

"It could have been anybody's son," Shelby said. "They didn't' even give him a chance - that's how I feel."

An investigation ruled the shooting was justified. Howell's family on Friday filed federal lawsuit saying authorities falsely claimed Howell was carrying a gun when he was shot by police.

Police Chief Steve Dumyahn declined to discuss the case, but said the department protected the right to free speech and provided safe passage for the rally.

"It was a peaceful gathering. I think they respected the community," he said.

@dhmickzawislak

  Supporters march down Galilee Avenue in Zion on their way to the Zion police station Monday to mark the anniversary of the shooting death of Justus Howell. Steve Lundy/slundy@dailyherald.com
  Supporters gather Monday to mark the anniversary of the death of Justus Howell at the site of his police-involved shooting on 24th Street and Galilee Avenue in Zion. Steve Lundy/slundy@dailyherald.com
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