Nearly 200 march in Norfolk to protest October police shooting

By Matthew Roy
The Virginian-Pilot March 5, 2008

Nearly 200 people marched to City Hall on Tuesday night to protest the fatal police shooting of James "Gucci" Dennis, chanting for "justice."

The march, led by men and women wearing Black P anther symbols, some in T-shirts that read "Seven City Panthers," drew young and old. Marchers met at the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Plaza at Church Street and Brambleton Avenue and headed through downtown carrying signs such as "Stop police abuse now." Police officers in cruisers and on bicycles stopped rush-hour traffic for them at intersections.

Afterward, several people, including Dennis' parents, a pastor and an NAACP official, addressed the City Council during its meeting.

Some spoke about distrust of the police and called for an outside investigation. Others raised broader questions, asking if more oversight should be in place.

Dennis, 21, was killed by gunfire in Stanwix Square, a neighborhood just off Newtown Road, in October. His death remains under investigation, and a special grand jury is to hear evidence next week.

Police have said that Dennis was shooting a weapon and that officers in a nearby neighborhood rushed over on foot and "verbally challenged" him. Police said he turned toward them, pointing the gun, and was shot.

The case was investigated by police and turned over to Commonwealth's Attorney Jack Doyle. At his request, a special grand jury will hear the case next week.

Amanda Howie, a spokeswoman for Doyle's office, has said the special grand jury was "just an extension of the investigative process" and noted that the case had conflicting reports.

Chief Bruce P. Marquis has expressed confidence that the officers will be exonerated.

Dennis' mother, Sharon Gorham, addressed the council Tuesday night, his father, James, at her side.

Gorham said her son lost his life to "those who are sworn to serve and protect him."

She said she heard that her son was shot "with his hands in the air from the back," and she asked for an "outside investigation."

Norfolk NAACP President James Rivers told the council that the city should establish a citizens oversight committee to review the department. That would help to re-establish trust, he said.

Afterward, Rivers said he had previously spoken with Marquis about the concept and that Marquis was opposed to it.

The Rev. Joe Flores of the Perfecting Saints Worship Center in Virginia Beach, not far from the shooting scene, spoke about a "chasm of mistrust by many African Americans of police agencies that is rooted in police-sanctioned violence against people of color."

The council should hold public hearings about race and police violence, he said.

Matthew Roy, (757) 446-2540, matthew.roy@pilotonline.com