CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Roughly 60 students are protesting a deadly officer-involved shooting that happened about a mile away from their school.
Dozens of Northwest School of the Arts students walked out of class Wednesday morning and marched down Beatties Ford Road protesting and holding signs.
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The outcry comes after Charlotte-Mecklenburg police Officer Wende Kerl shot and killed Danquirs Franklin Monday at the Burger King on Beatties Ford Road.
Officers said Franklin assaulted a Burger King employee and was waving a gun while threatening others. When they arrived, officers said he was given numerous commands to drop the gun and he refused. Kerl fired a shot to protect herself, police said.
Students told Channel 9 they are peacefully protesting the deadly officer-involved shootings that have happened across the country.
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"Protect us. Stop killing us. Stop shooting to kill. Shoot to disarm. Protect us. I want my father to come home at night. I want my brother to come home from school safe. I want to come home from school safe," said one student.
"If you do one thing when you put on your badge in the morning and your gun in your holster, protect us -- stop killing us -- stop shooting to kill," a student said.
Kerl is on routine paid administrative leave pending the investigation.
Message from the principal:
"Good afternoon Northwest School of the Arts families. This is principal Sears with a message to inform you that some of our students made a decision to participate in a planned walk out during class time today. I became aware of the student's planned walk out today and designated a spot on the campus for students to peacefully gather. The students who participated will be marked absent from any classes missed today. Thank you for your support of Northwest School of the Arts."
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