No Cop Charges in Kajieme Powell Death

No criminal charges will be pressed against the two St. Louis police officers who killed Kajieme Powell, a 25-year-old who allegedly had a knife and stole energy drinks and pastries from a store in August 2014. In a bystander’s cell phone video, Powell is seen approaching the officers and shouting, “Shoot me! Kill me now!” Powell’s family has said he suffered from mental illness and have criticized officers for leaving their SUV with guns already drawn (one of the officers had not undergone training for dealing with the mentally ill). A civil lawsuit filed by Powell’s family against the police department is still pending.