Quick, full inquest needed
Regardless of what happens from here on, 12-year-old Michael Ellerbe will forever be dead and the lives of two state police troopers will never be the same. Those facts cannot be changed. However, Ellerbe’s family and the public deserve to know the details of what occurred Christmas Eve. The sooner that everything surrounding this tragedy is brought to light, the better.
Fayette County Coroner Dr. Philip Reilly plans later this month to hold an inquest. Oftentimes Reilly, at the request of police, has delayed inquests into shooting investigations to allow officers the opportunity to develop leads and gather facts. But this fatality is different in that police are involved. A quick and thorough inquest is in order, especially because state police have said very little so far as a way of explanation.
Although many news stories have been written and aired that attempt to explain what happened that afternoon, details are sketchy. The young man apparently stole an SUV. Troopers Juan Curry and Samuel Nassan gave chase. Ellerbe wrecked the SUV along Murray Avenue and then fled with the troopers pursuing on foot.
Unconfirmed reports by an attorney retained by Ellerbe’s family said one of the troopers slipped on the ice, causing his gun to fire and the other trooper, mistakenly thinking the boy was shooting, fired his gun. The fatal bullet entered the child’s back and pierced his heart.
State police have said that a full investigation is under way, but the public rightly remains skeptical as it is difficult to have confidence in an agency investigating itself, especially when the agency clamps the lid tight on information and refuses to answer questions.
Fayette County District Attorney Nancy Vernon has also promised a full investigation and prosecution if warranted; however, Vernon must also recognize the tenuous position she is in. Her office must work closely with police in prosecuting other cases and one of her employees is related to one of the troopers.
Vernon did the right thing in requesting that the U.S. Attorney’s Office and its investigating arms look into the shooting. This should ensure an independent investigation and weighing of the facts that led to Ellerbe’s death.
Until those facts are known, each of us should reserve judgment and recognize that there is no way this will ever reach a satisfactory conclusion.
A young man is dead. Two troopers are involved in that death.