Reader demands action regarding Georgia police incident

To the Editor:

As a citizen of the United States, and a human, it is my duty to stand up against injustice. The crimes committed against people of color HAS TO STOP. One resignation is not enough. Lt. Scott Rowell resigned but will likely be able to keep his pension. Rowell could be hired by another police department and allowed to carry a gun and badge again. He could be allowed to terrorize Black people again. It is unacceptable, and would never be allowed if it happened to white kids. Officer Shook is still on paid leave. Both Shook and Rowell must be removed from the Waycross police force immediately. We demand full accountability now — not a lengthy investigation or a slap on the wrist. This is not the first time Lt. Scott Rowell has been a part of an officer-involved shooting. In 2013, the GBI investigated Rowell’s involvement in the murder of Jack Lamar Roberson. Yet Rowell was allowed to return to the police force. Rowell cannot continue to put Black lives in danger. Lt. Rowell and Officer Shook failed to follow protocol for a traffic stop. GBI confirmed that Officer Shook did not turn on his siren or flash his lights to tell the driver to pull over. Lt. Rowell opened fire on a group of Black children. Both officers were wearing body cameras but did not activate them during the incident, and there is no dashcam footage. Lt. Rowell and Officer Shook must be held accountable.

Mikayla Ursery

Poplar Bluff

Editor’s note: Lt. Scott Rowell is a Waycross, Georgia, police officer accused of firing his weapon at the vehicle multiple times while the two teens were inside.