CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Monday marked two years since Charlotte-Mecklenburg police officer Randall “Wes” Kerrick shot and killed Jonathan Ferrell in east Charlotte.
The shooting drove a wedge between the community and its police officers, and activists will mark the anniversary by marching uptown.
For this first time Monday, his family visited the spot that changed their lives forever.
Just before noon, Georgia and Willie Ferrell placed a wreath on the spot where Jonathan was shot and killed exactly two years ago.
https://twitter.com/BrittneyWSOC9/status/643448440630964224
That night Ferrell wrecked his car nearby. A neighbor called 911 saying he was beating on her door, and when police arrived, Kerrick shot Ferrell 10 times, killing him.
It was the first time Ferrell's brother and mother had visited the place where the 24-year-old took his last breath.
The officer responsible, Randall “Wes” Kerrick faced a voluntary manslaughter charge in Ferrell’s death, and the family went to court every day of the trial. They called for peace after the judge declared a mistrial.
Following that mistrial, the attorney general dropped the charges against Kerrick, and without any further legal recourse the family announced they're pushing for peace through the Justice for Jonathan Foundation.
Vigil held for two-year anniversary of Jonathan Ferrell’s shooting
Two years after a Charlotte-Mecklenburg police officer shot and killed an unarmed black man in northeast Charlotte, his family returned to where he died and had a message for the community about police.
On Monday, community groups held several events in remembrance of the life of Jonathan Ferrell.
Officer Randall "Wes" Kerrick Ferrell 10 times, claiming Ferrell charged at him after responding to a call when Ferrell crashed his car near the Bradfield Farms subdivision and was banging on a neighbor's door.
Hours after Ferrell died, Kerrick was arrested and charged with voluntary manslaughter.
Last month, Kerrick was cleared of manslaughter charges after a jury was deadlocked in his trial.
On the anniversary of Ferrell's death, his mother, Georgia Ferrell, joined her son, Willie Ferrell, to lay a wreath where her son died.
A candlelight vigil was held in the same spot Monday night with around 100 supporters holding signs calling for justice for Jonathan Ferrell.
"We're not out here to bash the cop because he killed Jonathan. If that was the case, my mother and me wouldn't be able to sit up here and forgive him and let everybody know that we forgive him," said Willie Ferrell.
Before Georgia Ferrell left the vigil, she energized the crowd to vote in Tuesday's primary.
She said the city needs leaders who will stand with the Ferrells' message of peace and understanding for police and the community.
Read more top trending stories on wsoctv.com:
- 38 years after prison escape, FBI knocks on NC woman's door
- CMPD: 2nd passenger dies after stolen car slams into hardware store
- 5 things to know about the fatal officer shooting in Kentucky
- REO Speedwagon guitarist Gary Richrath has died
- 5 things to know about Betty Cantrell, Miss America 2016
WSOC
