Post by LadyBlue on Jan 18, 2012 10:25:17 GMT -5
January 18, 2012
Brownsville Mayor Tony Martinez for the first time publicly addressed the recent shooting at Cummings Middle School that left an eighth-grader dead.
The mayor’s comments came at Tuesday’s City Commission meeting.
Jaime Gonzalez Jr., 15, was killed on Jan. 4 when he took a gun – later discovered to be a pellet gun – to school and was shot by Brownsville police when he refused to put down the weapon. Gonzalez’s family maintains police used excessive force. An investigation continues.
"We feel it would be disrespectful of us if we did not say a few words," Martinez said. "We want to acknowledge a sense of sorrow and loss."
Martinez said the tragedy not only placed the city in the national and international spotlight, but also affected the community as a whole.
"Please know that we are confident that the various reviews and investigations into what happened both internally and by outside agencies will be done thoroughly and professionally," he said.
The mayor also asked that the community exercise patience until the investigation is completed.
"Brownsville is, has and will always be a great community. Let’s work together to make it even better," Martinez said.
www.brownsvilleherald.com/articles/mayor-135962-cummings-school.html
Brownsville Mayor Tony Martinez for the first time publicly addressed the recent shooting at Cummings Middle School that left an eighth-grader dead.
The mayor’s comments came at Tuesday’s City Commission meeting.
Jaime Gonzalez Jr., 15, was killed on Jan. 4 when he took a gun – later discovered to be a pellet gun – to school and was shot by Brownsville police when he refused to put down the weapon. Gonzalez’s family maintains police used excessive force. An investigation continues.
"We feel it would be disrespectful of us if we did not say a few words," Martinez said. "We want to acknowledge a sense of sorrow and loss."
Martinez said the tragedy not only placed the city in the national and international spotlight, but also affected the community as a whole.
"Please know that we are confident that the various reviews and investigations into what happened both internally and by outside agencies will be done thoroughly and professionally," he said.
The mayor also asked that the community exercise patience until the investigation is completed.
"Brownsville is, has and will always be a great community. Let’s work together to make it even better," Martinez said.
www.brownsvilleherald.com/articles/mayor-135962-cummings-school.html