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

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.

My Cousin Was Shot 18 Times Including the Face and Back of His Head! He Harmed NO ONE EVER! He Had Mental Health Issues AND THE COPS KNEW THAT! Anything he's ever Done Was minor and NON VIOLENT! Eddie Russell Jr -A Human-Being -A Son- Brother-Friend-Nephew - Cousin-HUMAN! The cops told his mother to call him out on a bullhorn 📢 USED her saying "WE WILL GIVE HIM THE HELP HE NEEDS" and He Came Out Because He Heard His Mother and They used beyond excessive force to gun him down also with heavy artillery used in warfare! 18 times? Shot eighteen times??? IF THEIR GOING ON WHAT HES HOLDING AT THE BANK THAT ISN'T A GUN! (Picture Is Posted)They Keep saying he had a gun! I don't see a gun in his hand at the bank they say he tried to rob! That's NOT A GUN! They blocked everyone off including neighbors at a 4 block radius including his mother and father and family!People could NOT go home! So no camera phones accessible is that why? COPS DIDN'T HAVE ON BODY CAMS now isn't that convenient! They Lied and told family members Eddie Jr was at the hospital to get them away from the house knowing he was dead outside the house where they killed him! They kept his BODY OUTSIDE ON THE GROUND FOR MANY MANY HOURS! First they reported he ran out shooting =LIES! Then one cop shot =LIES! Then 5-6 shots =LIES! Then 5-6 cops shot YEAH CLEARLY! But why SO MANY TIMES? Why THE AR15? They didn't even wait for the negotiator to arrive or is it that the negotiator took his time getting there? They haven't Even Gave my cousin the RESPECT of trying to call and explain WHAT HAPPENED IN DETAIL TO HER CHILD! He needs JUSTICE! His Mother and Father and Family need JUSTICE!!!! This wasn't a hostage situation! He didn't threaten anyone's life! This was a mentally iLL young man who needed help and should have received just that! PLEASE HELP HIS MOTHER AND SPREAD HER STORY SO SHE CAN GET THE HELP SHE NEEDS AND JUSTICE FOR HER SON!!!! His Mother Has Tried For Many Years To Get Her Son Mental Health Counseling He Needed! The system Failed Him and Her! #AmericaIsTainted #TrumpIsAChump #TakeAKnee #BendAKnee #JusticeForEddieJr #Shot18Times #tboz #tlc #tbeezy #tlcarmy #justice #peoriaillinois #EddieRussell

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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.

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