JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Calls for justice filled Bay Street Saturday afternoon as dozens gathered on the steps of the Jacksonville Sheriff's Office to rally for 30-year-old Dejuane Hayden, who was shot and killed by an officer last week.
Family, friends and community members attended the rally which was put on by the Jacksonville Community Action Committee.
Hayden was shot and killed on Oct. 10 after a pursuit began on Justina Road. JSO claims Hayden was part of a group of "known gang members" seen "flashing firearms" outside a local business. When officers approached the group, two people were detained while Hayden ran. That's when he was shot.
Footage of the bodycam video was released by police a week after the deadly shooting, which showed an officer chasing after Hayden, who dropped a gun in his hand after he was shot.
Community members are calling for a change to how the sheriff's office reviews officer-involved shootings. During the rally, some called for Bradley Griffitts, the man who fired the fatal shot, to be indicted.
A chief with JSO said Hayden was part of the 3200 block gang, which is now defunct.
Hayden's family and friends spoke during the rally Saturday, saying they take offense to the sheriff's office describing him as a gang member. Hayden's brother, Brandon Boyd, said he feels it's an attempt to justify the actions of police and profile Hayden as something he wasn't.
"We weren't out there shooting at people. We weren't killing people. They aren't looking for us for murders and all that. They keep saying gang members. As soon as they see more than two to three people, they label it as gang members. All we are are just kids trying to find our way. My brother was just scared that day," Boyd said.
The State Attorney's Office is investigating Griffitts' decision to shoot.
After watching the body cam video, First Coast News Crime and Safety Expert Ken Jefferson said the officer did what he was trained to do.