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Sister, daughter of Aaron Bailey talk about strength and the support of the community

Posted at 8:55 PM, Jul 15, 2017
and last updated 2017-07-15 20:58:37-04

INDIANAPOLIS -- His sister wanted everyone to know that her brother was "not just another black man in a car." His daughter said "when people come forward with the truth, I will forgive them."

Passionate and tearful words from the family of Aaron Bailey to the crowd of people gathered at Saturday's rally at the Statehouse.  They called for justice for Bailey, who was shot and killed by two Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department officers on June 29.

Bailey's sister, Kimberly Brown, spoke first. She said her brother wasn't just another shooting victim.  "He was a father. He was a brother. He was an uncle. He was a cousin. He was that for all of us. He was our protector," said Kimberly.

She went on to say that she appreciates the outpouring of support her family has received and said it's making them all stronger.

"It's not just about my brother. It's about all black lives. It's about all of us. We all matter. My sister. His daughter matters. His sons matter. Your sons matter. Your daughters matter. We all matter. So right now, I just need you all to stand with us. We will stand together because we're stronger," said Kimberly.

 

 

 

Erica Bailey then took the microphone and struggled to speak through her tears, "I'm Erica. I'm Aaron Bailey's daughter."  

She talked about what is helping her stay strong, "I think about other little girls and we gotta stand up because if we don't, they might lose their fathers too. We can't have that."

Erica said she can't believe when she wakes up and doesn't get a text from her father anymore.  But she also said, "When I get upset, I know the world is not all evil and I can still open my heart and be a good person like I am."

 

 

MORE | Hundreds attend Justice for Aaron Bailey at the Statehouse | NAACP responds to officer-involved shooting of Aaron Bailey |Former landlord of Aaron Bailey shares memories, reacts to shooting death

IMPD says officers pulled Aaron Bailey over just before 2 a.m. on June 29 for a traffic violation near the intersection of Burdsal Parkway and Riverside Drive. During that stop, Bailey sped from the scene and then crashed into a tree near the intersection of 23rd and Aqueduct streets.

After that crash, two officers fired "multiple" rounds at the vehicle, hitting Bailey. He was taken to the hospital where he later died.

No weapon was found inside the vehicle.

On Friday, Mayor Joe Hogsettannounced changes to the IMPD's policiesin training procedures in hopes of improving the relationship between the community and police. 

In the meantime, both officers involved the shooting have been placed on administrative leave. 

The FBI has also opened an investigation into the shooting for possible Civil Rights violations.