The District Attorney in Middlesex County, Massachusetts confirmed an independent investigation is underway into the death of an area college student, reports NBC Boston.
“The inquest process into the death of Arif Sayed Faisal has begun,” said the statement from DA Marian Ryan. No further information will be released until the investigation is completed, “per court order,” she said.
Arif Sayed Faisal, 20, died after being shot and killed by a police officer, on January 4.
Police say he held a 12-inch knife and continued to move toward officers even after being shot by a non-lethal round. They say one officer then fired a gun, striking and killing the student.
The police department called the investigation “an encouraging sign for the speed of investigation and being able to take the next step,” according to the Cambridge Day.
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The Bangladeshi American community has demanded answers about Faisal’s death.
“Nothing fast is going to happen here,” said Barbara J. Dougan, of the Council of American-Islamic Relations.
A preliminary investigation by Cambridge Police found no wrong-doing on the part of officers.
“Based on all of the information that has been reviewed so far, the department has not identified any egregious misconduct or significant policy, training, equipment, or disciplinary violations,” Police Commissioner Christine Elow said last week in a statement. “The involved officer, who remains on paid administrative leave, has had no complaints filed against them over the course of their 7-year career with the Cambridge Police Department.”
RELATED: Family of 20-year old killed by police release a statement
The name of the officer has not been made public despite a request from the family.
“Our only son, Sayed Arif Faisal, who we lovingly called Prince, is no longer with us nor in this world,” the family said in January. “We are completely devastated and in disbelief that our son is gone. Prince was the most wonderful, loving, caring, generous, supportive, and deeply family-oriented person. He loved to travel, create art, and play sports with his friends. He expressed his feelings through gifts; he never forgot special occasions and always made sure that those around him felt appreciated.”
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