Written by Tanya Terry
On February 7, Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel said: “17-year-old Rayvon Shahid of Flint was shot and killed during a stop by two Michigan State troopers. It’s the policy of the Michigan State Police that all officer involved shootings are sent to my department for review, and today we’ve concluded that review.
Nessel continued to speak about the Nov. 2, 2024 tragedy stating: “At approximately 6:30 p.m. the Michigan State Police troopers observed Mr. Shahid walking near the intersection of Martin Luther King Avenue and East Dewey Street in Flint wearing a ski mask and appearing to be carrying a concealed pistol that bulged from the right side of his waistband. The troopers circled the block to begin a stop on suspicion of a firearm offense and approached Mr. Shahid from their vehicle head on.
“In accordance with MSP policy, the toopers activated their patrol lights and exited the vehicle to effectuate the stop.
“Mr. Shahid frequently turned his head to observe the troopers’ locations, then began to run through the yard of a home and towards an open gas station where innocent bystanders were present throughout the course of the foot chase. The troopers ordered Mr. Shahid to drop the gun approximately 10 times…. Mr. Shahid ignored those commands and instead appeared to raise his right arm at a 45° angle with the pistol still in hand.
“Fearing that Mr. Shahid intended to shoot the officers, both troopers fired until Mr. Shahid collapsed on the
President of Black Lives Matter-Flint DeWaun E. Robison said it was “traumatizing” for Shahid’s family to go through the experience of losing a loved one, burying a child and then getting news there would be no charges for the officers that took Shahid’s life.
Robinson added: “Understand this was a 17-yea- old young man, a boy pretty much just trying to figure out his way in life just like a lot of us young people do.”
Robinson noted living in disenfranchised communities is “very hard.”
He added: “This young man was just walking back home to try to get back to the comfort of his house and unfortunately was accosted by two police who racially profiled him because he had a ski mask on…Everybody is wearing ski masks. So, that’s not a reason to think somebody is suspicious, or somebody is doing something wrong, or is in the act of committing a crime. That is no reason to run up on a young man that aggressively and do it the way that they did.
“Due to their actions, Rayvon lost his life.”
Robinson noted that many police officers “have no understanding of our background or know our culture, yet more are in our Black neighborhoods policing our communities.”
Robinson asked how many times Black families would have to hear that those who murdered their family members face “no accountability.”
“I don’t care if he had a gun,” said Robinson. “Michigan is an open carry state….So what…It’s a lot of people that have guns out here. “
Robinson said Shahid was living in a distressed neighborhood.
He called Nessels’ response to the tragedy “weak,” “disrespectful,” and “distasteful,” and said she has not done anything for Flint.
Robinson noted the case had been on Nessels’ desk for three months.
He stated: “We ain’t accepting that. Just because you don’t hold them accountable for criminal charges, the people’s court IS holding them accountable for criminal charges.”
Robinson said there will be a civil lawsuit.
