Several dozen people with candles and protest signs gathered near the alley where Denver police officers fatally shot a 16-year-old girl, recalling her bright smile and demanding answers about the deadly encounter.
Police shot the teenager early Monday morning after they say she struck and injured an officer with a stolen car. Authorities did not release the girl’s name, but friends identified her as Jessica Hernandez.
“We’re angry about it. It’s another life taken by another cop,” said 19-year-old Cynthia Valdez, a close friend and schoolmate of the girl. “She was trying to find her talent. She wanted to find out what she wanted to be. … Who knows what she could have been?”
–
“It should have been handled differently. She’s a young girl. I’m just not OK with it,” said 16-year-old Destiny Moya, who grew up with Jessica.
Both officers involved in the shooting have been placed on administrative leave pending the investigation, which was being conducted by police, the district attorney and the Office of the Independent Monitor, a civilian oversight agency for the city.
