T-Boz Mourns Death Of Mentally Ill Cousin Shot 18 Times By Police Officers

Another Black man has been shot down and killed by police officers.

The victim, Eddie Russell, Jr., 25, was TLC singer T-Boz’s cousin. On Sunday evening, the 47-year-old singer shared the news on Instagram that Russell, Jr., was shot “17 to 20 times” in an officer related shooting last week in Peoria, Illinois, and she wants her fans to help spread his story.

Russell, Jr. was named as a suspect in an armed robbery. Officers say the victim allegedly robbed the First Mid-Illinois Bank and Trust before returning home where an hours-long police stand-off ensued. 

According to Central Illinois Proud, six Peoria Police Department Special Response Team officers fired their weapons after Russell, Jr. emerged from his home.

According to police accounts, Russell Jr., who family members say suffered from mental illness, exited his home in an “aggressive” manner and the officers shot him stating that they believed he was holding the same handgun used in the robbery. He was pronounced dead at the scene on Wednesday, September 20.

The six officers involved were placed on critical incident leave immediately after the incident. The Illinois State Police department is investigating the fatal shooting death. Family members and local activists peacefully protested the shooting.

In a press conference, local police chief, Jerry Mitchell, said none of the officers involved wore a body camera. T-Boz and her family are disputing the officer’s account of the events that led to Russell Jr.’s death.