10/24/2023
My Autistic nephew who is a juvenile (15) was shot at least 3 times (leg, arm, and chest) in Prince George Va.He is a resident of Petersburg and the police department in Petersburg has previously assisted with locating him in his time of crisis when he gets away and we need help finding him. He was having a behavior (because he wanted to go to his grandmothers house to visit) when he got away (in an attempt to walk/run to grandmas house). The Petersburg police department was notified alongside family and friends he was being searched for. Unfortunately he went into someone’s home in Prince George (which is in very close proximity of Petersburg) where he was shot. The entire investigation from when he was missing and being searched for to when he was found and up until now has been miss handled.
Information was being withheld from the mother as well as misinformation and changing stories (still do not have clear answers / details). The Prince George police department has yet to even contact my sister (the juveniles mother) Yet they did press conference and went on the news spinning a narrative they know for a fact not to be true. They are fully aware that he is Autistic and the reasoning for this happening but they are portraying him as if he was there to burglarize the home by skillfully omitting the very important point of the fact the juvenile is Autistic. Articles have been posted by different sources all aware of the fact that this was not a burglary but they choose to also omit that piece of information. This has a very racial overtone because if this was a juvenile of a different race the story would be told differently and all considerations would be provided to the media and the public.
This is an opportunity to forge change and help create a safer place for those who have disabilities such as Autism. We need to make accessibility and availability to safe spaces, resources, and care for POC especially black boys with Autism. Their stories and perspectives deserve to be heard and told in the way that really represents who they are and not the false narrative others choose for them. We really need help and a strong backing to get this accomplished and if there is any way you can help or point us in the right direction I would greatly appreciate it. WE NEED JUSTICE FOR JJ
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