TROY, N.Y. -- About 50 or so protestors rallied in front of the Troy Police Department on Wednesday morning, calling for justice for Dahmeek McDonald.
This follows Monday’s decision by the grand jury, which said Troy Police Officer Jarrod Iler was legally justified when he shot McDonald through the arm, grazing his head, last August. That officer testified, according to Schenectady County District Attorney Robert Carney, that McDonald ignored his command and drove at the officer, prompting him to fire four shots out of fear for his and his partner's life.
Wednesday morning’s rally was about an hour long. There was an interesting moment during the rally when police handed out water to protestors.
"A gesture of, maybe a gesture that they’re willing to or open for change, hopefully, because we need it," said McDonald's uncle, Messiah Cooper.
The mother of Edson Thevenin, who was shot and killed during an incident with Troy police in 2016, was also on hand. The officers involved in that incident were also cleared of any wrongdoing.