SPRINGDALE, Ark. — Earlier this week, 30-year-old Dimitri Calvert was shot and killed by a Springdale police officer during a confrontation. Today, his family held a vigil in his honor.
His family and members of the Springdale community gathered at the Springdale Police Department (SPD) on March 16 to remember his life. Calvert's sister told the crowd he suffered from mental health issues and needed help.
"We are the ones who are standing up for the mental health crisis, and when situations like this occur, we only have a handful of people who will stand up for the family. We will not stand silent," said a close friend of Calvert.
Those in attendance called for more mental health resources and spoke out about police brutality across the country.
“It happens time and time again. His name should not be a number," an attendee said.
Calvert's sister also shared memories of their time together, saying her brother needed help that was not provided to him.
Springdale police say Corporal Danny Wright shot and killed Calvert after receiving calls from Norfolk Avenue on March 12 claiming that Calvert was threatening people with a knife and destroying property.
Police said Calvert refused to drop the knife. On March 15, police said dash and body camera footage show that corporal Wright shot Calvert as he held a knife to the throat of a bystander. The department released two screenshots of the footage.
According to those who spoke at Saturday's vigil, Calvert's parents were on the scene when their son was killed. They believe Wright made the wrong decision in shooting Calvert.
Wright is still on paid leave pending the outcome of the investigation into deadly force, which is being conducted by the Washington County Sheriff's Office.
The Springdale Police Department said the entirety of footage from the incident will be available for release once the investigation is completed.
SPD Public Information Officer Sgt. Matt Ray said more context couldn't be given on the most recent update. When asked for clarification on low-resolution dashcam photos released in the most recent update, such as who is seen and where, Ray said he couldn't release any more details.
The Arkansas Justice Reform Coalition, a local nonprofit, is advocating on behalf of Calvert.
"The community deserves investments of increased funding for mental health services, appropriate community response teams, and initiatives to reduce the stigma surrounding mental difference and health needs," the AJRC said in a statement, announcing a community event on Saturday to "demand justice for Dimitri and to advocate for systemic changes aimed at preventing similar tragedies in the future."
The Washington County Sheriff's Office has not yet responded to a request for comment on the progress of the investigation.
Additionally, 5NEWS has formally requested SPD's de-escalation, use of force, and crisis intervention policies, as well as Wright's training records.
According to SPD's response to resistance policy, the use of deadly force is the last response option for officers. The policy says the use of deadly force is "objectively reasonable" when the officer or another present person is "faced with imminent threat of serious bodily or death."
"In all incidents of response to resistance, appropriate medical treatment, consistent with any injury sustained by any individual, shall be immediately provided in the form of first aid, request for emergency medical service or transport to a medical care facility," the policy says.
It is unclear whether or not Wright rendered first aid after firing at Calvert.
Additionally, the policy says, "Officers should warn the subject prior to using deadly force where feasible."
The policy encourages officers to "avoid placing themselves in a position where use of deadly force is the only alternative."
According to Wright's training certificates provided by SPD, Wright's response to resistance training certification was expired as of Feb. 27, 2024, around two weeks before the shooting happened.
We have also requested bodycam and dashcam footage related to the case, along with 911 audio, but those requests were denied, citing an ongoing investigation.
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