Giffords Responds to Shooting Death of Sean Monterrosa, San Francisco Resident, by Law Enforcement

June 4, 2020 — Today, Giffords, the gun violence prevention organization started by Former Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords, released the following statement on the killing of Sean Monterrosa by law enforcement in Vallejo, California. News reports indicatethat Sean was kneeling when police shot him early Tuesday morning.

Giffords Law Center is based in San Francisco and was originally founded after the California 101 Street shooting. 

Peter Ambler, Giffords Executive Director & Robyn Thomas, Giffords Law Center Executive Director:

“Sean Monterrosa is yet another American killed by law enforcement. Sean was on his knees with his arms raised when confronted by the police. He was only 22.

“Americans are calling out and marching for change because Black and Brown Americans keep having their lives ended at the hands of law enforcement. This must end. The cry for justice must be heard. It’s time to fundamentally reform a system that has failed to protect and prioritize the safety and dignity of people of color.

“This tragedy is a stark reminder that a core part of serving and protecting a community is earning their trust. And trust is broken when a police presence feels like a threat to, rather than a guarantor of, a community’s safety.”