WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. — On Saturday, the family and friends of a man who was killed by police during a fight in a Palm Beach County high school plan to gather in front of the West Palm Beach Police Department.
People who know the organizers say they are members of a non-profit group named after Romen Phelps, the 33-year-old man who police say drove his van through the gates of Dreyfoos School of the Arts during school hours and was shot by police inside the theater.
Organizers told CBS12 News that the protest is a way to come together and remember the talented artist, who worked as an electrician, and to ask for “added de-escalation training for police, especially when victims are in the middle of a serious mental health episode.”
They also want to bring attention to the group’s goal, which is to “combat the shortcomings of mental health treatment” in Florida.
The Palm Beach County State Attorney recently sent a letter to the West Palm Beach police chief saying that the FDLE’s investigation found that the off-duty officer’s use of deadly force was justified and that he will not be charged because Phelps could have hurt the officer during the fight with the students.
But people who knew Phelps have more questions than answers.
“Did we need to use lethal force in this situation? Could that have been avoided if that police officer had learned how to calm things down better?” said non-profit member Deborah Ferrer.
A toxicology report showed that Phelps had a lot of THC in his system, and the cop told other officers that Phelps tried to take his gun during the fight, according to the state attorney.
“We checked records for a lot of requests. We’ve been begging and asking for more details about what happened wherever we can,” Ferrer said.
Phelps’s mother told CBS12 News that her son was at a nearby facility hours before he died to get help for his mental illness.
Ferrer said, “It all comes down to accountability for law enforcement, accountability for health management, and accountability for the mental health crisis here in the state of Florida.”
