A prayer vigil was held on Tuesday for a man who was fatally shot by police in his Jersey City home.
Andrew Jerome Washington was fatally shot on Sunday during what his family says was a
mental health episode.
Jersey City Mayor Steven Fulop and Public Safety Director James Shea said on Monday that the actions of two officers involved in the 52-year-old’s shooting was
justified.
Community members, advocates and representatives from the New Jersey Violence Intervention and Prevention Coalition gathered at Washington’s house on Randolph Avenue for a vigil honoring his life.
"That was my nephew, watched him grow up as a kid. He was a beautiful person, and something like this shouldn't be happening in America today,” Jude Davis. "People need help and we need to reach out to these communities and help each other…"
"Andrew has a voice. Acknowledge our pain. So, we stand as one, saying just acknowledge our pain,” said Jersey City Council President Joyce E. Watterman.