GREENSBORO, N.C. — The mother of a teenager shot and killed by police during a traffic stop last August is taking action against the city and demanding justice for her son and transparency from the police department and the city.
What You Need To Know
Nasanto Crenshaw, 17, was shot and killed by a Greensboro police officer in August 2022
His mother, Wakita Doriety, is filing a lawsuit against the City of Greensboro and the police officer who shot her son
The case remains under review by the Guilford County District Attorney's office
Nasanto Crenshaw’s mother, Wakita Doriety, and her lawyers, Harry Daniels and Chimeaka White announced they are filing a federal lawsuit against the City of Greensboro and the police officer who fatally shot the teen, who was from Raleigh. The officer is referred to as “John Doe,” because his name has not been released.
Crenshaw’s death caused a difficult time for Doriety, who is a mother of five and talked about how she will not get the chance to hug her son again as she spoke flanked by her attorneys at a news conference Thursday morning at the L. Richardson Preyer Courthouse on Market Street.
“My son should've come home that night, but he didn't. Somebody took it upon themselves to play God to take my son from me. There's nothing no one can explain to me why my son is not here,” she said.
National social justice organizer and political activist Rev. Gregory Drumwright claims race played a factor in Crenshaw’s death.
“If this was Nasanto’s white counterpart, that young man's feet, his wheels would have been shot at, his car would have been disabled, not his body, not his life. Nasanto should not be dead right now," Drumwright said.
Last August, officers stopped a vehicle in connection with a traffic violation and determined it was stolen. Police say the driver took off and when officers tried to stop him again, the vehicle hit the police car and the officer shot him. Crenshaw was pronounced dead at the scene, according to authorities.
The wrongful death lawsuit claims excessive force was used. The SBI typically investigates shootings involving law enforcement, and it told Spectrum News 1 that it submitted a report on the case to the district attorney in November. The DA says that the incident is still being reviewed.
Clarification: This article has been updated to reflect Nasanto Crensaw was from Raleigh.