COLUMBUS, Ohio — Donovan Lewis’ family never imaged they’d find themselves calling for justice outside of City Hall.
What You Need To Know
- Lewis' family added Michael Wright to their legal team
- Wright was the lead attorney on the Andre Hill case
- Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation is conducting an investigation
- Inspector General will classify if there are any administrative violations
- Lewis' family could file a civil suit to pursue compensation
Lewis’ family gathered in front of City Hall in Columbus late Thursday morning. They described Lewis as someone who had a big heart and an even bigger passion for change.
“I think in 2015 he’s at a protest, right here, and it's crazy to see someone who is passionate and adamant and passionate about those type of things, it can happen to them as well,” said Lewis’ brother, Tariq Stewart.
The family’s legal team announced Michael Wright would be joining the case.
Wright was involved in the settlement for the family of Andre Hill, who was shot and killed by a Columbus Police Officer in December 2020. Wright was integral in the development of Andre's Law, which requires Columbus officers to render immediate medical aid.
The family's attorney, Rex Elliot, said Wright will join him in demanding justice through better police policy.
“We need to get rid of middle of the night arrest warrants unless there’s a dangerous emergent circumstance,” said Elliot. “We need to have police officers who are trained to come into these communities that understand these communities.”
Lewis’ mother also hopes to create a policy surrounding middle of the night arrest warrants.
“After Andre Hill a lot of things have been put in place, there’s been a lot of talk, but there hasn’t been a lot of action,” said Lewis’ mother, Rebecca Duran. “I want to see real action. I say it, it's a colloquial saying, 'don’t talk about it, be about it'. let's see something happen, not just conversation after conversation.”
Lewis’ case could be handled on three different levels.
The Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation will determine if there is an indictment. The Inspector General will classify if there are any administrative violations. And the family could file a civil suit to pursue compensation for any wrongdoing that might have occurred.
City council member Nicholas Bankston serves the Hilltop area where Lewis was shot and killed. He asked for the community's patience while investigations continue.
“There are three separate pillars and they don’t all happen simultaneously,’ said Bankston. “I urge the community to have patience but continue to apply pressure, continue to speak out for justice, but know it is going to take a while for those three different processes to play out.”
CPD officer Ricky Anderson shot and killed Lewis, who was unarmed, after serving an arrest warrant to his home around 2:30 in the morning on Tuesday, Aug. 30.
Thursday was the first time since the shooting that the family has spoken as they continue to mourn his death. They said they’re fighting for the future he should have had.
“I was really liking where he was headed, but sadly because of CPD, people won’t get to see how great he could’ve been,” said Stewart.