A grand jury decided not to indict two Columbus Police officers, Zachary Rosen and Jason Bare, who shot and killed 23-year-old Henry Green in June 2016.
Around 75 protesters gathered outside the court house on Friday afternoon to protest the decision, according to the Ohio People's Justice Project.
Say his name. #HenryGreen #tyreking #BlackLivesMatter pic.twitter.com/4b9FqdPjhj
— People’s Justice Project (@OhioPJP) March 24, 2017
According to a press release from Franklin County prosecutor Ron O'Brien, the grand jury heard from 20 witnesses including Adrienne Hood, the mother of Henry Green, and the two officers involved in the shooting.
Preceding the incident, Rosen and Bare were dressed in plain clothes in an undercover car as part of the Columbus Police's Summer Safety Initiative. According to the press release, Columbus police officers said Green raised his weapon to them. All three exchanged several shots, though the timeline is unclear.
The Franklin County Prosecutor's office says there was conflicting information from witnesses as to who fired first, whether Bare and Rosen announced their status as officers, and whether they shot Green out of self-defense, or for no lawful purpose.
Ultimately, the grand jury decided the use of deadly force in this instance was reasonable.
The NAACP has called for a federal investigation, which typically takes place only after state proceedings are concluded. The Franklin County Prosecutor's Office say they are ready to cooperate with the DOJ, FBI or US attorney should they request information and evidence from this trial.
In a statement released after the decision, Mayor Andrew Ginther said the proceedings of the grand jury should be unsealed and the police investigation results be made public. Testimony and evidence presented before a grand jury, by law, are kept secret.
Columbus Police tweeted that it will begin an "administrative process" following the grand jury decision, as with all police-involved shootings.
As with all police-involved shootings, an administrative process will commence now that the grand jury has issued its decision. #CPD https://t.co/jz85xfp8wi
— Columbus Ohio Police (@ColumbusPolice) March 24, 2017
No police officer has been indicted for shooting a civilian in the 20 years O'Brien has served as county prosecutor.
