Reading Pride Celebration Vice President, Enrique Castro, released a statement following Thursday’s press conference by Berks District Attorney John Adams, who announced Reading Police officers were justified in their actions of shooting 29 year old Roxanne Moore, during an incident on Franklin Street last week.
“Reading Pride Celebration (RPC) stands firm in requesting that an in-depth investigation is made and that the appropriate training is given to Police to ensure the proper de-escalation protocols are followed preventing this from happening again”, said RPC’s Vice-President, Enrique Castro.
“During the past year we have seen a Nationwide increase in Police’s use of excessive force, especially against the black community and people of color. In our opinion, the 16 shots fired on Roxanne are an example of this.”
“We will keep working with the Reading Police Department and the City of Reading to demand appropriate training be provided to the officers, and hold them accountable to that. While we do that, we will continue to pray for Roxanne’s recovery and advocate for her to face a fair trial and to receive the help she needed, which the system so far has failed to provide.”
Last Week, LGBT advocates gathered at Reading Hospital to hold a candlelight vigil offering well wishes for Moore.
Read More: Actions of Reading Police Ruled ‘Justified’ by Berks District Attorney
On September 13th, Reading Police officers responded to a 911 call reporting an armed person on Franklin Street in Reading. Arriving on the scene, the individual, later identified as Roxanne Moore, pointed a gun at officers, who shot her, being struck several times. Moore remains in critical, but stable condition at Reading Hospital.
