Subscribe
Hellobeautiful Featured Video
CLOSE

UPDATE: 5:55 P.M. EST, 11/7/13:

According to the Detroit Free Press, the homeowner who killed 19-year-old Renisha McBride claims that his gun “accidentally” discharged.

Contrary to reports and the family’s insistence that McBride was shot in the back of the head, Lt. James Serwatowski says that she was shot in the face.

“This man’s claiming – believed the girl was breaking into the home. And he’s also saying the gun discharged accidentally,” Lt. James Serwatowski, chief detective, said today.

“This girl was not shot in the back of the head while leaving the porch,” Serwatowski said “I don’t know where the family is getting this. She was shot in the front of the face, near the mouth.”

___________________________________________________________

UPDATE: 1:02 P.M. EST, 11/7/13:

Author and community activist Yusef Shakur has joined with author, film-maker and activist dream hampton to organize a justice rally for Renisha McBride.

Read press release below:

Metro Detroiters Demand Justice For Slain Renisha McBride

Protest organized for Thursday, Nov. 7 at Dearborn Heights Police Headquarters

DEARBORN HEIGHTS – Community leaders are planning to assemble Thursday evening at the Dearborn Heights Police Department to demand answers in the slaying of Southfield teen Renisha McBride.

According to the Detroit Free Press, members of  her family said “they believe the African-American woman was racially profiled by the homeowner. They said McBride, whose cell phone had died, had gone up to the house on Outer Drive seeking help after she was involved in an auto accident early Saturday morning.”

According to reports, McBride was show in the back of her head with a shotgun as she turned to leave the front door.

“We are outraged and demand to know this man’s identity; He doesn’t deserve to have his identity protected and we demand his arrest,” said co-organizer and author Dream Hampton. Hampton is organizing the event with Yusef Shakur, an author and local community activist.

The protest is scheduled to happen at 6 p.m. this evening at 25637 Michigan Ave in Dearborn Heights.

_______________________________________________

Renisha McBride, 19, was shot to death in a Dearborn Heights, Michigan neighborhood after seeking help following a car crash, reports The Detroit News.

SEE ALSO: AG Holder: Zimmerman Charges Still Possible

At approximately 2:30 a.m. Saturday morning, McBride knocked on the door of a home, hoping for assistance. Instead, she got a gunshot wound to the head. 

“He shot her in the head … for what? For knocking on his door,” said McBride’s maternal aunt, Bernita Spinks. “If he felt scared or threatened, he should have called 911.”

“You see a young black lady on your porch and you shoot?” asked Spinks. “He killed my niece and he needs to pay for it. He needs to be in jail.

“There was no windows broken. My niece didn’t bother anyone,” said Spinks. “She went looking for help and now she’s dead.”

The Dearborn Police Department have confirmed the shooting, but have not released the name of the suspect. They initially told McBride’s family that her body was “dumped,” but have now admitted that she died on the man’s porch, reports FOX 32.

The investigation is ongoing and findings will be forwarded to the Wayne County Prosecutor’s Office for review.

Read complete story by clicking here.

If this case sounds tragically familiar, it’s because it is.

As previously reported by Hello Beautiful, former Florida A&M football player Jonathan Ferrell, 24,  was shot dead on Saturday, September 14 by Charlotte-Mecklenburg police officer Randall Kerrick, 27, while seeking help after a serious car accident.

Kerrick, who has been charged with voluntary manslaughter, claimed that he ordered Ferrell to stop, but his version of events has been disputed by the victim’s family attorney, Christopher Chestnut:

 “From our review, the only sounds were the sounds of gunshots, Chestnut said. There were no commands to stop. There were no commands to freeze; stop or I’ll shoot, police. I think this is a young man who probably was going toward the police officers, the same way if you were injured in a car accident and you saw red or blue lights, you’d run to help not death. He ran to help.”

Read more here: Black FAMU Student Brutally Murdered By Police After Surviving Car Crash

While there is usually a large amount of press and — at least temporary — solidarity when our Black men are racially profiled, this is not always the case for Black women, whom Malcolm X called “the most unprotected person in America.”

*Hello Beautiful will be closely following this case. Check in with us for updates.* 

SEE ALSO:

Win $2,500 Just For Sharing How You Nurture The Ones You Love

 

This Teen Just Auctioned Her Virginity For About $27,000

35 Of Hollywood’s Hottest Moms That Make It Look Easy

Did you know HelloBeautiful is on Instagram? Follow us!

Follow HelloBeautiful On Twitter!

Like HelloBeautiful on Facebook to stay on top of your favorite black celebrities:

The grand return of the Melanin Awards amplifies and honors the finest Black-owned beauty brands with honest reviews, and discusses the evolution of beauty in Hip-Hop culture.