ELIZABETH CITY, N.C. — Attorneys for the family of Andrew Brown Jr. shared the results of an independent autopsy that was conducted after Brown was shot and killed by a Pasquotank County deputy last week.
The lawyers held a press conference on Tuesday to share the findings, which show that Brown was shot five times after police tried to execute a search warrant at a home in Elizabeth City. One of those bullets was a fatal shot to the back of the head.
Pasquotank County Sheriff Tommy Wooten said in response to the autopsy results, “I want answers about what happened as much as the public does. The private autopsy released by the family is important and I continue to pray for them during this difficult time. However, a private autopsy is just one piece of the puzzle. The independent investigation being performed by the SBI is crucial and the interviews, forensics, and other evidence they gather will help ensure that justice is accomplished.”
"It was a kill shot to the back of the head," attorney Ben Crump said.
One attorney explained that Brown was shot four times in the right arm. Then, when he tried to drive away, he was shot and killed by a “penetrating bullet wound to the skull.” He died minutes after he was shot in the head, according to autopsy results.
Shelley Lynch, with the Charlotte division of the FBI, confirmed to WCNC Charlotte that the Charlotte FBI is opening a federal civil rights investigation into the shooting of Andrew Brown Jr.
“The FBI Charlotte Field Office has opened a federal civil rights investigation into the police-involved shooting death of Andrew Brown, Jr. Agents will work closely with the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Eastern District of North Carolina and the Civil Rights Division at the Department of Justice to determine whether federal laws were violated. As this is an ongoing investigation, we cannot comment further.”
Pasquotank County Sheriff Tommy Wooten released this statement Tuesday afternoon on the release of the findings:
“I want answers about what happened as much as the public does. The private autopsy released by the family is important and I continue to pray for them during this difficult time. However, a private autopsy is just one piece of the puzzle. The independent investigation being performed by the SBI is crucial and the interviews, forensics, and other evidence they gather will help ensure that justice is accomplished.”
On Monday, the family and their attorneys were allowed to view 20 seconds of body camera footage that captured the moments when Brown was shot and killed.
After the viewing, attorneys called the incident an "execution." They echoed those same sentiments in Tuesday's news conference.
“We have an execution in Elizabeth City,” attorney Bakari Sellers said. “We demand justice for Andrew Brown and his family.”
“Law enforcement in this country can’t be judge, jury and executioner,” attorney Harry Daniels shared.
Family members also spoke out about the shooting.
As the results were told to the public during the news conference, chants erupted from the crowd, with some community members shouting "Arrest him!" and "No Justice, no peace!"
Funeral services for Brown will be held Monday, May 3.