Black Leaders Want Probe Of Shooting

Some black community leaders are asking the U.S. Justice Department to investigate the shooting of an unarmed black man by a police officer.

In a letter dated Saturday to Attorney General Janet Reno, the Seattle Core Group asks for an investigation into whether Edward Anderson’s civil rights were violated.

“The African-American community in Seattle seeks some relief from the atmosphere of racial double standards for ethnic minorities, which repeatedly hold the life of minorities much cheaper than the majority,” a statement from the group said.

“Until the time comes when such deaths are met with equal intolerance on the part of the larger community, the black community must once again be the lone voice of equality demanding equal justice under the law.”

An inquest jury unanimously agreed earlier this month that Officer William Edwards did not intend to fire his gun when he shot and killed Anderson on Jan. 15.

Edwards, who is white, had responded to a domestic violence call, and Anderson, 28, was shot during a foot chase.