The parents of a man killed by police during a mental health crisis in 2019 are preparing for one last chance to hold the officers accountable for taking their son’s life.
Four years ago, two NYPD officers knocked on Kawaski Trawick’s apartment door in a supportive housing facility in the Bronx, after a security guard called 911 and complained that Trawick was “losing his mind.” One of the officers shot and killed him less than two minutes later.
The Civilian Complaint Review Board, which investigates complaints against the NYPD, is expected to prosecute Officers Brendan Thompson and Herbert Davis at an administrative trial later this month after investigators from the watchdog agency determined they violated multiple NYPD policies. Thompson, who shot Trawick, faces five charges of excessive force and abuse of authority. Davis faces three charges, including refusal to obtain medical treatment.
Trawick’s parents are asking the police commissioner to fire both officers.
“They do not deserve to continue to work as officers for New York City,” his mother Ellen Trawick told Gothamist after a rally outside 1 Police Plaza on Wednesday.
Police were dispatched to Trawick’s apartment in response to complaints that he was harassing his neighbors and the superintendent after losing his keys, according to a criminal review of the incident. When officers came to his door, footage released by the city following a lawsuit shows he was holding a stick and a serrated knife. Police repeatedly ordered Trawick to drop the knife. Trawick repeatedly asked them why they were in his home.
Thompson used a Taser on Trawick about a minute after arriving. Trawick then ran at the officers, threatening to kill them and asking them to “get out.” Thompson fired four shots, killing Trawick, according to the Bronx district attorney’s attorney’s office.
“It’s not right for an officer to just come into a person’s home and take their life,” Ellen Trawick said. “It’s just…
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