| NORFOLK—Delegate Jay Jones released the following statement calling for an investigation by the Office of the Attorney General into the disturbing video of officers pepper spraying Army Lieutenant Caron Nazario and holding him at gunpoint:
“It appears that yet again, Virginia is being forced to reckon with an instance of heinous police brutality against a Black man. This video highlights a sad reality for far too many of us in communities across our Commonwealth. That reality must be brought to an end. Today, I’m calling for an immediate investigation into this incident.
“Virginia needs an Attorney General dedicated to engaging our communities on the ground and rooting out police misconduct and abuse to build trust between law enforcement and the neighborhoods they serve. With my proposed network of satellite offices engaging grassroots leadership throughout Virginia, this instance of potential misconduct would have been brought to the attention of the Attorney General and immediately investigated by a Civil Rights Office that is empowered to protect Virginians instead of serving as political cover for ineffective leadership. We also must make clear that nobody is above the law, especially those tasked with enforcing it. I’m proud to be a leader in the movement to reform qualified and sovereign immunity, and have introduced legislation with Delegate Jeffrey Bourne to do just that. I urge the Attorney General to stop dragging his feet, stop playing political games, and move immediately to find the facts on the ground and ensure that those responsible for this incident are held accountable.”
This instance of police brutality comes on the heels of the death of Donovon Lynch, who was killed the other week by a Virginia Beach police officer whose body camera wasn’t activated. Delegate Jones called for an investigation into the shooting, however that call remains unheeded by AG Herring. |
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