East Pittsburgh council grilled over death of Rose
East Pittsburgh held its first borough council meeting Tuesday since the fatal police shooting June 19 of Antwon Rose II, and dozens of people questioned members about the killing, the police and police policies.
“I just want to ask questions that have been burning in my head at night when I lay my head on my pillow, when I watch my brothers and sisters protesting, whenever I look at Antwon’s mom on the TV crying,” said Soleil Meade of McKeesport. “I just want to ask you a few questions. “Do you care?” Mayor Louis Payne and council members, however, provided no answer to that query and few to others. Borough solicitor Nick Evashavik said he advised them not to answer questions because of ongoing investigations.
Mr. Payne did read a statement at the start of the meeting addressing Antwon’s death.
“Speaking not only for myself, but for all the elected officials, the police department, the borough staff, we’re all greatly saddened by the tragic event that cost Antwon his young life,” he said. “This tragic event will change many lives forever. His family, his friends, basically the whole East Pittsburgh community.
“We are engaged in an evaluation of the operation of our police department and borough, in the spirit of correcting any shortcomings we may have. This will take some time, but our commitment is to get it done as soon as possible.”
The statement didn’t satisfy many of more than 50 people who attended.
“I have been appalled by the lack of communication that has come from you,” said East Pittsburgh resident Chad Nicholson. “But through a couple of carefully worded statements to the press that really told us nothing, all my communication has come from off-the-street communications with my neighbors.”
Some said accountability was lacking.
“You have to want to be accountable,” said Erica Yesko of East Pittsburgh. “We’re going to be voting, and we want some accountability.”
Fawn Walker-Montgomery, a former candidate for the state House district representing the Mon Valley, pointed out that accountability before the shooting could have saved Antwon.
“Had you been accountable before Antwon was killed, we wouldn’t be here today,” she told council.
Public comment took up the majority of the roughly two-hour meeting. It was peaceful but emotional; the crowd chanted at times, some cried, others cursed while addressing council.
About 10 Allegheny County police officers, including Superintendent Coleman McDonough, stood guard. North Versailles and East McKeesport officers were there. At least one East Pittsburgh officer attended.
East Pittsburgh Officer Michael Rosfeld has been charged with homicide in Antwon’s death and has been suspended from the department without pay.
Many in the group called for the mayor and council members to fire Officer Rosfeld. Others said the mayor and council members should resign.
Although most attended to criticize borough officials and police, Sharon Cusack of East Pittsburgh said blame could be placed on both the police and Antwon.
She pointed out that Antwon had been in a car that was involved in a drive-by shooting shortly before Officer Rosfeld shot him.
“I care about our community. I care about our leaders,” she said.
Many in the crowd yelled over her as she tried to speak, and a few turned their backs on her with fists raised in the air. Allegheny County District Attorney Stephen A. Zappala Jr. has said that although a handgun was found beneath where Antwon was sitting in the car, he did not fire a shot.
Mr. Payne said he would try to have more information by the next council meeting, scheduled for Aug. 21, about the direction the borough would take concerning police. He implored residents to get involved and help effect change in the community. But some residents said they feared it could be too late.
Ashley Cannon, a lifelong resident of East Pittsburgh, said her young children were traumatized because they heard the gunshots when Antwon was shot.
“Our kids are scared of the cops,” she said, directing her comments to the mayor. “What are we going to do, Lou?”