Andrew Brown died from "kill shot to the back of the head," according to autopsy

Wayne Kendall, one of Brown's family's lawyers, points to an autopsy chart.(Joe Raedle/Getty Images)

By Curtis Brodner

(ELIZABETH CITY, N.C.) Attorneys for the family of Andrew Brown, the 42-year-old Black man who was shot to death by Elizabeth City police on Wednesday, said an autopsy revealed he died from a “kill shot to the back of the head,” The News & Observer reported.

The autopsy is the latest piece of information in a string of revelations that have raised questions about the nature of the killing and outraged community members.

Brown was killed in his car outside his home while police carried out a search warrant for drug charges, according to CNN. Police found no weapons or drugs in Brown’s house or car.

Body camera footage shown to attorneys and family members showed Brown had his hands on the wheel of his car and was not reaching for anything when police started shooting, according to NBC News. His hands remained on the steering wheel while he was being shot.

Escape was impossible, as the driveway where he was parked was blocked by police vehicles.

Now, the family’s attorneys are describing his death as execution after an autopsy revealed he was killed by a shot to the back of his head.

Seven sheriff’s deputies were placed on administrative leave after the killing, according to NPR, and the F.B.I. is investigating.

Brown’s death has led to protests against police violence in Elizabeth City. Over 200 peaceful demonstrators marched through the small city on Monday, demanding the sheriff’s office release the body camera footage of the killing to the public.

Mayor Bettie Parker announced a state of emergency on Monday due to the protests, according to News Break.

A recent international inquiry by legal groups and lawyers into systematic police violence against Black people in the U.S. found police killings like this one violate international law and are tantamount to crimes against humanity.

The report demanded the U.S. government demilitarize local police forces, prohibit no-knock warrants that allow police to raid homes unannounced and end qualified immunity — the legal statute that often allows police escape punishment for crimes that a civilian would see jail time for, according to The Guardian.

The commission also called on the International Criminal Court to investigate the U.S. for crimes against humanity.

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