The family of a 17-year-old who died by suicide in Utqiagvik, Alaska is speaking out after video surfaced showing North Slope Borough Police Department staff pulling his body through the city streets on a sled. The family is demanding answers and accountability, while the mayor has issued an apology and pledged to investigate the incident.
‘I’m hurt, that’s my little brother‘: family responds to teen’s body being pulled by sled through Utqiagvik streetUTQIAGVIK, Alaska - The family of an Utqiagvik 17-year-old has released video they say shows North Slope Borough Police Department staff using a sled to pull Christian Vasquez’s body through a city street to the hospital after he died by suicide Wednesday morning.
She said her family is not only upset by how the teen’s body was transported but also by how he was poorly covered. Through her pain Vasquez-Adams remembered her brother as a very caring person who she said often put others before himself.“He was just outgoing, he had a life to live up to ... he loved people more than he loved himself,” Vasquez-Adams said. “I would have never thought that our police department would do something like that. Especially to somebody’s son. My little brother.”
“We are all disheartened by the poor judgment exercised in how to respond to such a devastating situation,” Patkotak wrote. “We have been investigating this event internally since it occurred this morning. As we uncover the facts of those involved, I will work with the North Slope Borough Police Department to understand what happened and what must be done to ensure adherence to the proper protocols while operating in our unique circumstances.
POLICE BRUTALITY SUICIDE DEATH ALASKA INVESTIGATION
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