A Black teacher was found dead while handcuffed in special police custody. According to Fox 5 D.C., Alonzo Smith was placed in custody by a private security detail at the Marbury Plaza Apartments in Washington, D.C. on Nov. 3.
A witness at the apartment complex said they heard a man yell, “Help! Help! They’re going to kill me!” When D.C. police arrived on the scene, Smith, 27, was unconscious and not breathing. He was later pronounced dead at the hospital.
The initial police report labeled the incident as a “justifiable homicide,” but it has since become a “death investigation.” Smith was unarmed at the time and his family has not been given an autopsy or allowed to view his body. His family also believes that he was beaten.
This appears to be another case of unjustified violence by individuals who lack proper training to enforce laws or protect. The situation should have never resulted in death.
Smith was a teacher at Accotink Academy Learning Center and self-published a book of poetry.
