SPD Shooting of Mother Sparks Loss for SPS Communities
I was away this weekend and so am just coming to learning about the terrible shooting of a black pregnant mother of three, Charleena Lyles, at transitional housing for people coming out of homelessness. Her children - two in Seattle schools - may have been present at the shooting.
I heard the audio tape of the incident and it's hard to grasp how quickly the police apparently felt threatened by what is to be a small woman with mental health issues. And especially since the police knew she had mental health issues. I'm sure I am not alone in believing that had Ms Lyles been white, she would be alive today.
SEA will have a rally at 5 pm followed by a press conference/vigil tonight at 6 pm at Brettler (the re-settlement site at Magnuson). Teachers are being encouraged to wear their Black Lives Matter t-shirts today.
But to the point of affecting Seattle Schools communities comes this from Director Geary via Facebook:
I have visited Thornton Creek, Sand Point and Laurelhurst this morning and have heard families want to help, so let's come up with a plan for long term support. Soup for Teachers will also be posting on things that can be done.
SPS Communications via Twitter:
Our thoughts are with the Brettler Family Place community. SPS provided more staff to support those needing help to make sense of tragedy.
From Soup for Teachers:
We have gotten plenty of schools signed on for care pack items. If there's not a point person coordinating at your school who has the drop-off address, please Seattle Schools Community Forum: SPD Shooting of Mother Sparks Loss for SPS Communities:
Charleena Lyles, a pregnant Seattle mother, was fatally shot Sunday, June 18, by police officers responding to her North Seattle home. Lyles, 30, had reported a burglary attempt at her home.
Media: Levi Pulkkinen / SeattlePI