MEMPHIS, Tenn. — It was one of those moments when silence spoke the loudest.
Mary Stewart addressed reporters on Wednesday, hours after attorneys filed a multi-million dollar suit in the death of her son, Darrius, at the hands of a Memphis Police Officer.
“We tried diplomacy. We waited and waited and waited,” said Attorney Carlos Moore.
Stewart was shot by Officer Connor Schilling during a traffic stop last summer after the two got into a struggle.
“I wouldn`t care if he was black and he did my son like that. This is not about race,” said Stewart.
Darrius had warrants out at the time of the traffic stop, but according to the lawsuit, Schilling didn’t move out of Stewart’s earshot as dispatch was telling him this over the radio.
“We think that is a common custom and practice despite the fact that there`s a written policy,” said Attorney Murray Wells.
The family is asking for $17.1 million.
“It`s symbolic because July 17th was the day that Darrius Stewart was killed,” said Attorney Arthur Horne.
But they insist this isn’t about the money.
“Money is not gonna bring my son back. Justice — that`s what we need,” said Henry Williams, Darrius’ father.
The City of Memphis responded by saying they’re confident in the policies, procedures and training in place under the former MPD Director.
