BUFFALO, N.Y. -- Protesters chanted "Justice for Meech" and rallied outside the Buffalo Police Department's B District two evenings after the death of Wardel Davis, who was in police custody.
City officials say officers found Davis in the area of Hoyt Street and West Ferry while they investigated a report of suspicious activity. Police say he ran away and after catching him and struggling with him, Davis had a medical emergency.
The officers say they took the handcuffs off and gave him CPR, but Davis was later pronounced dead at the hospital. He was 20.
“We all know this has to change. The real question is, are we willing to take the risk to change it,” John Washington of PUSH Buffalo asked the crowd.
We're told Davis had a breathing issue and slept with a device at night, but it's not clear if that had anything to do with his death.
“We want to know what happened to him, and we want the two cops fired and not on administrative leave,” said Brenda Miller-Herndon, a friend of Davis’.
“Every single time they see this man they bother him for no reason, no reason at all. He did not deserve this," said Brother Dakota Sanchez.
Their words and actions soon spilled into the Main and Tupper intersection. Blocking traffic, but remaining peaceful, the protest spoke of police reform and “taking back” the streets.
“In the academy they probably have a week of hand to hand combat training. That's not enough,” said Cariol Horne, a former Buffalo police officer. “Every year you have to qualify for your weapon, every year you should qualify so you know what you do when it comes to hand to hand combat.”
When asked for more information, the Buffalo Police Department directed us to the State Attorney General's office, whose Special Investigations and Prosecutions Unit is looking into Davis' death:
"The Attorney General’s Special Investigations and Prosecutions Unit has opened an investigation into the death of Wardel Davis, pursuant to the Attorney General’s authority under Executive Order No. 147. Our office is committed to conducting a fair, comprehensive, and independent investigation to provide Mr. Davis' family with the answers they deserve. We encourage anyone with relevant information to contact our Buffalo office."
Mayor Byron Brown says he's been in contact with the family.
"Yesterday, I had the opportunity to reach out to Mr. Davis' grandmother Thelma Davis express my condolences to her to let her know that there would be a complete and thorough investigation that we would find out what caused the death of her grandson," Brown said.
“We don't need cops like that on the force. I'm quite sure if there's them there's many more. We don't want to wait until something actually happens in order for us to all be out here again. I got a feeling this won't be the last time,” said Miller-Herndon.