R.I.P Ken Will Miss You & Love You!
Police shot and killed 56-year-old Ernest Vassell who was believed to be carrying a gun Wednesday evening through a residential neighborhood in North Miami Beach, according to police.
Officers encountered the man near Northeast 155th Terrace and 14th Avenue. They had gone there, shortly after 5:15 p.m., in response to calls from people saying a man was walking around with a rifle, said North Miami Beach police spokeswoman Maj. Kathy Katerman.
Officers gave the man commands, which people in the area heard, Katerman said. The man turned toward the officers. Shots were fired, Katerman said, and the man fell to the ground.
He was taken by helicopter to Jackson Memorial Hospital’s Ryder Trauma Center, where he was pronounced dead.
Police did not release the man’s name Wednesday. Members of his family told Miami Herald news partner WFOR-CBS 4 that the man was mentally disabled and never violent.
Katerman said police were looking into whether the gun the man was carrying was genuine or a realistic-looking fake. There were indications that it might have been a BB gun, she said.
One officer fired on the man, Katerman said. The officer, who was not identified, will be placed on paid administrative leave, which is standard procedure, while the shooting is investigated.
My uncle was mentally challenge. He was walking around the neighborhood and must of found a toy gun. People saw him with the gun and call 911. Police came and instead of trying to disarm him they shot him 3 times in the chest and murdered my uncle! He was like a child, he couldn’t hurt a fly! I’m so FN mad right now!
I’VE KNOWN UNCLE KEN FOR 19 YRS OF MY LIFE AND THAT WAS GOOD MAN WHO DIDN’T DESERVE TO LOSE HIS LIFE IN THAT MANNER. I WANT TO SEND MY CONDOLENCES TO THE VASSEL, HARDING AND BURGESS FAMILY STAY UP! WE MUST GO HARD ON THESE VIOLENT CRIMES FROM THE SAME PEOPLE WHO CLAIMS TO PROTECT & SERVE OUR COMMUNITIES. WE MUST FIGHT SO OUR FUTURE GENERATION WON’T BE CUT DOWN IN SOCIETY BY THESE REVENUE AGENTS