AAPI New Jersey on Thursday called for an investigation into the police shooting death of Victoria Lee, a 26-year-old Korean American woman, in Fort Lee, N.J., on July 28.
The advocacy group said in a news release it is “deeply troubled and saddened.” Lee was experiencing a mental health crisis when her family called 911 for assistance, and she was fatally shot by a police officer while in her apartment, according to NorthJersey.com/The Bergen Record and other news media.
”We join Victoria Lee’s family and other groups in calling for a thorough investigation by the N.J. Attorney General’s Office and all relevant authorities of this incident and the practices of the Fort Lee Police Department,” AAPI New Jersey said.
”We also call on all state and local law enforcement agencies and first responders to work with mental health professionals and community groups to improve practices and protocols for supporting people experiencing mental health emergencies. We need a comprehensive strategy and approach for all communities across New Jersey,” the group said.
”Victoria Lee’s killing follows other fatal encounters in New Jersey between law enforcement and individuals experiencing mental health crises, including Andrew Washington and Najee Seabrooks,” it added. ”These killings, like too many others, make all too clear how vulnerable people of color are during confrontations with law enforcement.”
Lee’s family told NorthJersey.com that she never presented a threat and charged that the police response was ”unnecessarily aggressive.”
AsAmNews is published by the non-profit, Asian American Media Inc.
We’re now on BlueSky. You can now keep up with the latest AAPI news there and on Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, YouTube and X.
We are supported by generous donations from our readers and by such charitable foundations as the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation.
You can make your tax-deductible donations here via credit card, debit card, Apple Pay, Google Pay, PayPal and Venmo. Stock donations and donations via DAFs are also welcomed.