Tionne “T-Boz” Watkins is using her platform to call attention to an important issue that recently struck close to home.
T-Boz’s cousin Eddie Russell Jr. was gunned down by police last week in Peoria, Illinois. According to local station Peoria Public Radio, Russell was followed home after police identified him a suspect in an armed robbery that occurred at First Mid-Illinois Bank and Trust. Although Russell’s mother alerted police that her son suffered from mental illness, he was shot 18 times while exiting the home. The six officers who fired the shots claimed he “aggressively advanced” towards them, but T-Boz and the rest of the family feel the story doesn’t quite add up.
In a lengthy Instagram post, T-Boz calls out Peoria Police Department and their alleged mishandling of the situation, stating the officers clearly used excessive force on a man they knew had mental health issues. She also claims the police lied and said her cousin had been rushed to the hospital, knowing he already died at the scene.
She then took the conversation over to Twitter, where she continued to encourage her followers to spread this story so that her family could obtain justice.
And THEY LIED TO MY FAMILY AND SENT THEM TO THE HOSPITAL KNOWING HE WASNT THERE
— Tionne T-Boz Watkins (@TheRealTBOZ) September 24, 2017
He NEVER DESERVED TO GET SHOT 18 times with AR 15's No one was being held hostage! But one thing we can ALL SEE that doesn't look like a gun
— Tionne T-Boz Watkins (@TheRealTBOZ) September 24, 2017
PLEASE SPREAD THIS STORY FOR HER FOR US ABD MOST IMPORTANTLY FOR EDDIE RUSSELL JR MY COUSIN ANYONE WILL TELL U HOW SWEET AND HARMLESS HE IS
— Tionne T-Boz Watkins (@TheRealTBOZ) September 24, 2017
I've watched this story change so many times right before my eyes! Jr. Was a sweet harmless young man with mental issues he couldn't help
— Tionne T-Boz Watkins (@TheRealTBOZ) September 24, 2017
The Peoria Journal confirmed that the six police officers involved in the shooting were placed on administrative leave immediately following the shooting, and the Illinois State Police is handling the investigation into the incident.
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