Georgia Police Kill Naked, Unarmed Man Suffering From Bipolar Disorder
Chamblee, Ga. police shot and killed Anthony Hill Monday night. Hill, who was unarmed and naked, suffered from bipolar disorder.
According to the New York Times, police were called with reports “about a man acting deranged, knocking on doors and running naked.”
At 11, new video of a naked man moments before he was shot and killed by police today: http://t.co/KQbxoYChMJ pic.twitter.com/U4uN0TyU72
— WSB-TV (@wsbtv) March 10, 2015
The police department claims that Hill was shot after attempting to charge at the officer and ignoring requests to stop. The officer has been placed on administrative leave and the Georgia Bureau of Investigation is examining the shooting. The officer did have the option of using a taser but Cedric L. Alexander, the DeKalb County deputy chief operating officer for public safety, said that he did not know whether the officer used the taser or not.
Hill was very active on social media and often discussed his struggles with the disorder. He was also a musician and an Air Force veteran.
I am thankful to be something other than normal. I don’t fight my circumstance, I embrace it. I love myself. Always #IAmBipolar
— Lanta (@AntHeezie) March 5, 2015
#AnthonyHill. Never forget the name. I wont. #RIPTony #AntLanta #DekalbShooting #Dekalb pic.twitter.com/pCG7TWzKH9
— Patrick J. (@PatNasty24) March 10, 2015
His death highlights the intersections between race, mental health and police brutality. Alexander told the public that officers do receive training in dealing with mentally ill citizens but it is clear that training didn’t prevent the death of Anthony Hill.
Read more at the New York Times.
Photo: Anthony Hill/Facebook