Police shoots dead unarmed deaf man using sign language

US: A 29-year-old deaf man and father-of-one Daniel Kevin Harris has been killed by a North Carolina state police officer near his own home on Thursday 18th August after trying to communicate with the officer using sign language.

Harris who has a four year old son was killed by Charlotte state trooper Jermaine Saunders after he was pulled over for speeding and according to authorities, Harris refused to stop and led the trooper on a 16km chase.

Harris later stopped in his neighbourhood, few meters from his home, got out of his car and then walked towards Saunders.

Unarmed Harris and Saunders had “an encounter,” as described by the State Bureau of Investigation leaving Harris shot once and dead in the street.

According to reports by WCNC, witnesses said Harris was shot “almost immediately” after getting out his car.

Saunders has been placed on administrative leave.

Harris’ family is raising money for his funeral and also plans to use any extra money to educate police officers on how to handle hard hearing people.

According to the family’s posting on YouCaring.com, they also called for a system to alert police officers they are dealing with a deaf driver when they enter information into their computers.

After Monday vigil for Harris, his brother Sam told reporters using sign language and an interpreter that;

“You don’t see deafness the way that you see the difference in race. We need to change the system.”

Sam Harris is deaf, and so are his brother’s parents and other family members.