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Families Decry Fatal Chicago Police Shooting of Two

Published

11 years ago

December 29, 2015

By Stephen A. Crockett Jr., The Root

When police arrived in the West Garfield Park neighborhood in Chicago early Saturday morning, they encountered Quintonio LeGrier, 19, reportedly wielding an aluminum bat, and Bettie Jones, a 55-year-old mother of five. Within minutes, LeGrier and Jones had been fatally shot, and now their family and friends want answers.

Bettie Jones received a call early Saturday morning asking if she could help police gain access to her building. According to ABC 7 Chicago, Jones’ neighbor, Quintonio LeGrier, was wielding a bat and acting erratically, so his father called police and then called downstairs to ask if Jones could open the front door to let in the cops.

Shortly after police arrived, both LeGrier and Jones were fatally shot.

Police say Jones was shot accidentally, but family and friends of both Jones and LeGrier are struggling to understand why deadly force was necessary in the first place; an incident that leaves many wondering if this most recent shooting is part of a culture of aggressive and deadly policing when it comes to black communities.

“What about the Tasers?” Jacqueline Walker, a friend of Jones said of LeGrier on CNN. “Taser him down, don’t start shooting people, innocent people.”

Police say they received a call early Saturday about a domestic dispute and that when they arrived, LeGrier began charging toward them holding an aluminum bat. Police opened fire, hitting both LeGrier and Jones.

The Cook County Medical Examiner told CNN Sunday that Jones died of a gunshot wound to the chest and LeGrier died of multiple gunshot wounds.

The medical examiner ruled both deaths homicides, CNN reports. Authorities have not released many details in the shooting, and it was unknown whether video of the incident exists.

According to ABC, LeGrier was a Northern Illinois University student who, according to his mother, struggled with mental illness, but was not violent. LeGrier was an honor student who sent his mom inspirational quotes each day, ABC reports.

“I used to watch the news daily and grieve for other mothers and family members,” LeGrier’s mother told ABC. “Today, I am grieving myself. When does it end? … No mother should have to bury her child, especially under these circumstances.”

Jahmal Cole, who identified himself as Jones’ nephew, told CNN that his aunt, a mother of five and grandmother who worked as a baker, had a right to open her door without fear of being shot.

“She should not have had to open her door and be shot down by a Chicago police officer,” Cole said during a Sunday press conference, ABC reports.

“What happened should matter to everyone,” Cole declared. “Everyone was celebrating Christmas like any other family. She should not have to be shot down just coming to the door. Your family does not want to wake up to news like this.”

The shooting comes only weeks after protests that demanded Chicago police release video footage showing Chicago Police Officer Jason Van Dyke fatally shooting 17-year-old Laquan McDonald in October 2014. Van Dyke has been charged with murder and is currently awaiting trial.

On Sunday, Jones’ and LeGrier’s family members demanded accountability from Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel and the police department.

Emanuel, who is on vacation in Cuba, issued a statement a day after the shooting, noting that changes must be made in how police respond to mental-health situations.

“There are serious questions about yesterday’s shootings that must be answered in full by the Independent Police Review Authority’s investigation,” Emanuel said, CNN reports.

“While their investigation is underway, we must also make real changes within our police department today, and it is clear changes are needed to how officers respond to mental-health crises.”

Oakland Post

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New Protections for Ticket Buyers: Gov. Newsom Signs Assemblymember Isaac Bryan’s Bill

OAKLAND POST — Assembly Bill 1349 expands state regulation of original ticket sellers, resellers and online resale marketplaces. The law targets deceptive sales practices, ticket-buying software and speculative listings — tickets advertised for sale by sellers who do not possess them or have authorization to sell them.

Published

6 days ago

October 4, 2026

Post News Group

Assemblymember Isaac Bryan (D-Ladera Heights). File photo.

By California Black Media Staff

Gov. Gavin Newsom signed legislation on Sept. 27 authored by Assemblymember Isaac Bryan (D-Ladera Heights) that strengthens consumer protections for Californians purchasing tickets to concerts, sporting events and other live entertainment.

Assembly Bill 1349 expands state regulation of original ticket sellers, resellers and online resale marketplaces. The law targets deceptive sales practices, ticket-buying software and speculative listings — tickets advertised for sale by sellers who do not possess them or have authorization to sell them.

“Buying a ticket shouldn’t come with hidden risks or unfair practices,” Newsom wrote on social media after signing the measure.

Under AB 1349, ticket sellers are prohibited from listing tickets before they have been officially released unless they have authorization or a legally enforceable right to receive them. Online marketplaces must also take reasonable steps to prevent speculative ticket sales on their platforms.

The law prohibits sellers from using bots, multiple accounts, email addresses or internet protocol addresses to circumvent ticket limits, presale restrictions, electronic queues and other controls. It also bans websites and advertisements designed to mislead buyers into believing they are purchasing tickets from an authorized seller, venue or event organizer.

Sellers who violate certain provisions and fail to provide a promised ticket may be held liable for twice the ticket’s contracted price. Buyers may also recover nonrefundable expenses incurred while attempting to attend an event, along with reasonable attorney’s fees and court costs.

Pastor Tecoy Porter Sr., president of the National Action Network’s Sacramento chapter, said the law establishes needed accountability.

“Buying a ticket to a concert or show shouldn’t mean entering a marketplace where the rules are stacked against you. This year, we worked with a coalition of consumers, civil rights advocates, community groups, and businesses to make AB 1349 stronger. Consumers deserve enforceable rules that protect them. We thank Assemblymember Bryan for his leadership, and we will keep working to make ticketing fair for every Californian.”

Jose L. Barrera, national vice president for the Far West Region of the League of United Latin American Citizens, also praised the measure.

“Californian families deserve certain protections when they buy tickets. Assemblymember Bryan listened to communities across California and delivered a bill that puts fans first. We thank him and Governor Newsom for making it law.”

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Zakiya Jendayi Arrested, Locked Out of Home by Sheriff’s Deputies

OALAND POST — On Tuesday, deputies followed Jendayi as she left her residence of 13 years to file documents in her case at the Appellate Court. Deputies arrested her upon arrival and transported her to Santa Rita Jail.

Published

6 days ago

October 4, 2026

Post News Group

By Tanya Dennis

Yesterday, more than 10 Alameda County Sheriff’s deputies arrived to take possession of Zakiya Jendayi’s home on behalf of a court-appointed administrator. Jendayi was arrested at the courthouse and transported to Santa Rita Jail around the same time.

Jendayi, who has been embroiled in a probate court battle to retain the inheritance bestowed on her by a longtime friend and colleague who passed away in 2013, had received a notice of eviction last month.

With help from neighbors, friends and clergy, she was able to fend off the eviction from 3614 Randolph Ave. in Oakland and even obtained a reprieve when her bid to file bankruptcy was approved by a county court.

But Philip Campbell, the court-appointed administrator, had already placed Jendayi’s home in his name in October 2025.

On Tuesday, deputies followed Jendayi when she left her residence of 13 years to go to the Appellate Court to file documents in her case. Deputies arrested her upon arrival and transported her to Santa Rita jail.

Undersheriff April Luckett-Fahini said Jendayi was arrested for “safety reasons.” At this time, it is unknown what charges were used for the arrest.

In Jendayi’s absence, Campbell came to her residence accompanied by deputies, had the property taped off with yellow crime tape, and had the locks changed.

Afterward, Campbell requested a police escort to his car amid several angry neighbors who had been advocating that officials pause the eviction pending Jendayi’s appeal.

“Zakiya Jendayi is a respected Black elder in our community,” said Alameda County Supervisor Nikki Fortunato Bas, who has been working with Jendayi to prevent her eviction. “It’s outrageous that she was arrested. There needs to be more justice and equity in our probate system.”

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Ask California: Golden State Releases New AI Chatbot

Gov. Gavin Newsom introduced the prototype as part of the state’s broader effort to use artificial intelligence to make government services easier to access. The launch follows his March 2026 executive order directing state agencies to responsibly implement generative AI while protecting privacy, security and civil liberties.

Published

3 weeks ago

September 22, 2026

Post News Group

By Bo Tefu, California Black Media

California has launched AskCA, a new artificial intelligence-powered chatbot designed to help residents find and navigate state and local government services through a single online platform.

Developed by the state’s Office of Data and Innovation, AskCA is designed around major life events rather than individual government agencies. Californians can use the tool to find information about finding a job, starting a business, accessing family services and recovering from disasters.

“When a Californian needs help, they shouldn’t have to become an expert in government to find it,” said Newsom. “We’re using the best technology California has to offer to make the government more efficient, effective, and more engaged.”

The state is now seeking Californians age 18 and older to participate in the pilot and help test and refine AskCA’s responses. Officials said subject matter experts across state governments are helping inform the chatbot’s answers, which are designed to draw from verified government sources and provide actionable information.

The prototype grew out of California’s response to the January 2025 Los Angeles wildfires. Early testing included more than 140 fire recovery leaders and Altadena wildfire survivors, a dozen job seekers and more than 100 general users.

Jeffery Marino, director of the Office of Data and Innovation, said the tool is intended to remove the need for residents to understand how government agencies are organized before they can get help.

“Californians should not have to understand how the government is organized just to get basic help,” Marino said.

AskCA’s technology will also be used in a new job-skills matching feature that the California Department of Human Resources plans to launch Sept. 30 on CalCareers. Job seekers will be able to upload a resume and receive potential matches to state job classifications.

The state said the CalCareers pilot will not store personal information or require users to have a CalCareers account. California plans to continue testing AskCA as officials evaluate its accuracy, performance and usefulness before expanding the system.