In the summer of 1987, a series of seemingly minor traffic violations culminated in the tragic death of 26-year-old Lee Floyd Berry, Jr. in Detroit, Michigan. On June 23rd, Berry was driving a company van with his sixteen-year-old brother and eight-year-old nephew. During their journey through rush-hour traffic, Berry committed several traffic infractions, including running a red light and driving on the wrong side of the road.
These actions drew the attention of a Detroit police officer.
A confrontation ensued when the officer, identified as Officer Hall, followed the van to the Berry family's home. Eyewitnesses, including Berry's brother and nephew, stated that the officer used profanity and physical force in an attempt to arrest Berry upon his arrival. A struggle broke out between the two men, which ended with Officer Hall shooting Lee Berry in the back from a distance estimated to be between three and ten feet.
Following the incident, the Detroit Police Department conducted an investigation into the shooting. The investigation ultimately exonerated Officer Hall, and no criminal charges were filed against him. He was not sanctioned for his involvement in the shooting. The Berry family later filed a civil lawsuit against the City of Detroit, and a jury awarded them six million dollars in damages for the death of Lee Berry, Jr. However, this judgment was later reversed on appeal.
