House Democrats call on DOJ to investigate recent killings of unarmed black people 

Democrats in the House Judiciary Committee are calling on the Department of Justice (DOJ) to investigate how local law enforcement handled three recent high-profile killings of unarmed black people. 

In a letter addressed to Attorney General William Barr, the lawmakers lay out the facts of the cases of Ahmaud Arbery, Breonna Taylor and George Floyd and how they believe local law enforcement inadequately handled their cases.  

“The federal government has a critical role to play in promoting a culture of accountability for all law enforcement organizations, including at the state and local level,” House Judiciary Chairman Jerrold Nadler (D-N.Y.) said in a statement. 

Nadler said he expects the committee will consider legislation that addresses racial profiling and police brutality. 

“In addition, I expect, as the primary committee of jurisdiction over civil rights law and law enforcement, the Judiciary Committee will be engaging in oversight and considering legislation in the coming weeks to address the crisis of racial profiling, excessive force by law enforcement and lost trust between police departments and the communities they serve,” Nadler said. 

Arbery was shot by two bystanders in while running in his Brunswick, Ga., neighborhood. Though the killing occurred on Feb. 23, his case was passed along by several prosecutors until a video of his death was released in May, sparking outrage. 

The DOJ is currently investigating whether Arbery’s case warrants federal hate crime charges. 

Taylor was a 26-year-old black EMT who was fatally shot in her Louisville, Ky., home by police in plain clothes on March 13. The FBI has since opened an investigation into the case.

Most recently, Floyd, 46, died Monday after being handcuffed and pinned to the ground by Minneapolis police officers.