Activists continue rallying for justice two years after Pamela Turner's death at hands of police

By Alyssa Wilson Published: May 14, 2021

Activists continue rallying for justice two years after Pamela Turner’s death at hands of police

Pamela Turner was shot and killed by Officer Juan Delacruz on May 13, 209 in the parking lot of the apartment complex where they both lived.

By: Alyssa Wilson

Activists are still calling for justice on the second anniversary of the day a Baytown police officer killed 44-year-old Pamela Turner. Officer Juan Delacruz shot Turner five times after she allegedly grabbed his taser on May 13, 2019, outside of the apartment complex where they both lived.

Two years after Pamela Turner was shot and killed by police in Texas, a rally today with speakers including @AttorneyCrump, @MoniquePressley, @TamikaDMallory, and @TezlynFigaro, called for more respect for Black women, and officer Juan Delacruz to be fired. @BNCNews pic.twitter.com/vMFZkTcjuE

— Derrick Lewis (@DerrickLewisTV) May 14, 2021

Attorney Ben Crump filed a federal civil rights lawsuit on Turner’s behalf in April, ABC News reported. It lists Delacruz, the city of Baytown and Cypress Point Equity Partners, who manages the apartment complex, as defendants in the lawsuit.

Pamela Turner’s life was cut short when Ofc. Juan Delacruz unjustifiably shot her in her own apartment complex. Delacruz used EXCESSIVE force by shooting Pam EIGHT times while she was on the ground on her BACK! Pamela’s life mattered! FIRE Ofc. Juan Delacruz!! pic.twitter.com/1soqoBMVnd

— Ben Crump (@AttorneyCrump) May 13, 2021

Delacruz was indicted on a charge of aggravated assault by a public servant in September 2020. He was not fired, and is currently on administrative assignment with the department.

Turner was diagnosed with paranoid schizophrenia in 2005. Her family and attorneys say she may have been having a mental health crisis at the time of the shooting. They allege Delacruz knew about her mental health conditions.

BNC contributor Tezlyn Figaro, who was present at the rally for justice, joined “Making the Case w/ Yodit” to discuss Turner’s story and the lack of attention on police violence against Black women.

“People can’t even keep up at this point. There are so many different names. So many different stories,” Figaro said. “It’s important that we have balance to talk about the issue as a collective. I am seeing people trying to adjudicate which case is more important than the other.”