Reaction to the DA’s ruling in Akiel Denkins case
“I think that this tragedy, and it is a tragedy ... caused and created opportunity for some very important conversations in our community. Conversations about the way the police interact with the public ... about what the process is in the days and months following one of these incidents ... about how we prevent people from ever getting in these situations to begin with.”
Lorrin Freeman, Wake County district attorney
“Lives have been forever changed, and we are committed to building trust and strengthening relationships in Raleigh to ensure the health and safety of both our officers and the public.
Nancy McFarlane, Raleigh mayor
“The loss of a life is always profoundly regrettable, and my heart goes out to everyone affected by the death of Akiel Denkins. ...
Cassandra Deck-Brown, Raleigh police chief
“My son wasn’t able to make a statement. That's why I'm fighting for my son’s statement to be heard. It's the hardest thing I've ever had to do in my life.”
Rolanda Byrd, mother of Akiel Dinkins
“All of our officials need to step up right now … If they feel that what the DA said and did is accurate and that that’s how they would handle the situation, it’s clear that they’re not the leaders we’re looking for.”
Akiba Byrd, Southeast Raleigh resident, member of Raleigh’s Police Accountability Community Taskforce
“The first thing I said was I gotta call some of my black males and talk to them. ... They tell me, ‘Ma Rainey, I’m mad. They kill us and they want to push us out.’ What do you say to a 15-year-old who says that? ... We have to talk about these things.”
Octavia Rainey, mentor to local youths, serves as leader of North Central Citizens Advisory Council
“My question is: What’s in the (full) autopsy report? Does it support that decision? I have to hold my opinion back until it has been released. If it’s released and the autopsy supports (the DA’s) decision, then OK.”
Dan Coleman, chairman, South Central Citizens Advisory Council
“I know this was not the answer the community was looking for. ... When you have a killing like this, there’s never going to be a right answer for that community and for the mother, because she’ll always be dealing with the loss of her son. The mayor says we need to do more. My question is, what more are we going to do? ... We need to show people we care about them no matter what.”
Eugene Weeks, former city councilman from Southeast Raleigh
“This should be the beginning of a community conversation on poverty and how the city, the county and the schools should work together to ensure that young people have access to opportunity and education. ...”
Mary-Ann Baldwin, city councilwoman
Paul A. Specht
This story was originally published April 13, 2016 at 8:56 PM with the headline "Reaction to the DA’s ruling in Akiel Denkins case."