Louisville Police Shoots and Kills Black Restaurant Owner, Body Cams Were Found Deactivated
A 53-year-old barbeque stand owner in Louisville, Kentucky was shot and killed by police officers involved with National Guards on Sunday night. According to an initial investigation, the local law enforcement authorities did not activate their body cameras during the incident.
Louisville has seen its fourth night of protests following the death of two members of the black community under police custody-George Floyd, who died from asphyxia after a police officer pinned him by the neck, and Breonna Taylor, who was killed in her home by an officer who was looking for someone else.
Shot and Killed
According to reports, the authorities were sent to break up a large crowd that had gathered at a parking lot next to the barbecue business owned by the victim, David McAtee. The troops were reportedly shot at, forcing them to return fire at around 12:15 AM local time. Only McAtee was hit.
Sources say the crowd in the parking lot were not engaged in protest. The victim's sister claimed McAtee and others meet in the area weekly for food and music.
McAtee's body was left at the scene until Monday afternoon while police conducted a forensic investigation.
Louisville Metro Police Chief Steve Conrad said it was unclear whether the victim was the person who shot at authorities. The department released few details about the incident. They also declined to indicate whether multiple officers opened fire.
Conrad was fired following an initial probe where it was discovered two police officers involved in the fatal shooting had their body cameras turned off. Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear ordered the state police to conduct an independent investigation on the incident.
Remembering David McAtee
David McAtee was well-known as the owner of a popular West End eatery, Yaya's BBQ. His mother described him as a community pillar who never hurt others.
"He left a great legend behind. He was a good person. Everybody around him would say that," she said.
The victim was once featured in a February interview for a photoblog by Walt and Marshae Smith. During the interview, he revealed he had always dreamed of setting up a brick-and-mortar restaurant at 26th and Broadway.
The chef, who had been cooking for nearly three decades, was often seen participating in community events in the area's nine neighborhoods. Greg Cotton, a Middletown resident, said McAtee had been volunteering to help with Californian Day for almost 15 years. "He was one of the ones who would donate all his time and all his food; everybody could just come up and take it and he wouldn't charge because it was for the neighborhood."
The chef was also known to go around and offer free food to law enforcement officers and those in need. Councilwoman Jessica Green called the chef a staple in the community who was always friendly towards other people.
Odessa Riley, McAtee's mother, remembers his son as a cook, even when he was still growing up. "It's alright to lose a mother or father. You get hurt by that, too. But when a mother loses her child, a piece of you goes along with that child," she said.