ORLANDO, Fla. — Police brutality protesters were back on the street this weekend, reacting to the fatal deputy-involved shooting of 22-year-old Salaythis Melvin at The Florida Mall earlier this month.
Deputies made several arrests during Friday’s demonstration at The Florida Mall, according to the Sheriff’s Office; the mall closed at 1 p.m. that day in anticipation of looting, but none occurred.
Saturday, protesters gathered at the intersection of W Colonial Dr and N John Young Pky, keeping to the sidewalk outside of the Orange County Sheriff’s Office.
Sixx Jones, Melvin’s cousin, told WFTV that the group was there only to inform passersby:
“We’re not here to stop traffic, these people haven’t done anything to us, we’re here to make awareness,” Jones said.
“Most of the people driving had no idea what happened at The Florida Mall and we want justice for the police officer who killed [Melvin].”
Less than a week prior, the Orange County Sheriff’s Office released bodycam footage of the August 7 shooting; in the video, Melvin is seen running away from Deputy James Montiel before falling to the ground.
Deputies say Melvin ran when they spotted him with a suspect in a different case.
Montiel said that Melvin turned his head and placed his hand on a gun in his waistband; Montiel wasn’t wearing a body camera at the time, and the only angle available for review doesn’t clearly align with his testimony.
Additionally, the footage was published shortly before the polls closed for Tuesday’s primary; Sheriff John Mina was already re-elected before many people got to see it.
Montiel is currently on administrative leave with pay.
Community activist Miles Mulrain, also on the march Saturday, lambasted Sheriff Mina’s response:
“If you can’t see that bodycam and do an investigation and see the means for [Montiel] to get fired and get charged, then you don’t need to be our sheriff,” Mulrain said.
Melvin’s family allegedly plans to file a lawsuit once more evidence is gathered; among their demands, that the Sheriff’s Office automatically release bodycam footage related to deputy-involved shootings.
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