THE SHOOTING OF DONALD TAYLOR AND THE PURSUIT OF JUSTICE

Page 1 — Introduction: A Call for Accountability and Truth

My name is Leavie scott, and I stand before you today on behalf of the family, loved ones, and community members who continue to mourn the loss of Donald Taylor, a 32‑year‑old Black man whose life was taken by a Hollywood, Florida police officer on August 3, 2025.

For months, the public was told a particular story — a story delivered by authorities who insisted that officers were “forced to fire” on Donald because he was armed and refused to comply. That narrative stood uncontested until a critical piece of evidence came to light: a video of the final moments before Donald was shot.

This video — provided to the family by a good Samaritan — clearly shows Donald walking away from officers with his hands raised outward to his sides, unarmed and not posing an immediate threat at the moment the fatal shot was fired. This stands in direct conflict with the initial police statements asserting that he was armed and refusing commands when they opened fire.

The contradiction between what was said and what was shown demands public scrutiny. It demands deeper investigation. And it demands justice.

Today, our purpose is to speak the truth plainly, to demand transparency without hesitation, and to call upon state and federal authorities to exercise the full measure of their legal responsibilities. We owe this to Donald, to his family, and to every community that lives under the threat of unaccountable policing.

Page 2 — The Events and the Contradictions We Cannot Ignore

On August 3, 2025, Hollywood detectives conducting surveillance in Miramar located Donald Taylor near Southwest 61st Avenue and 19th Street. Their official narrative claimed he was armed and refused to obey commands before an “officer-involved shooting occurred,” resulting in his death. A firearm was later said to have been recovered at the scene.

But the newly surfaced video, which captured the last 20 seconds before the shot was fired, tells a sharply conflicting story. In the video, we see Donald walking away, his back turned, his hands visible and away from his body, with no weapon in them. Moments later, the fatal gunshot strikes him.

This disparity is not a matter of interpretation — it is a matter of fact. For those 20 seconds, the camera does not lie.

Months after the shooting, the family has still not received basic answers that should have been provided immediately.

What was the name of the officer who pulled the trigger?

Why does the video contradict the official account?

On what grounds was deadly force determined to be necessary?

Why was no body‑camera footage released?

Why did the officer fire at a man who was walking away with his hands up?

As attorney Erian White has publicly stated, there is “no reasonable, rational, or legal explanation” that justifies shooting a man in the back while his hands are raised and he is walking away. [ca.cjis20.org]

Furthermore, under Florida law, an officer is authorized to use deadly force only when they reasonably believe a person poses an immediate threat of death or serious bodily harm, or to prevent the escape of an individual when absolutely necessary. [floridabar.org]

The video raises profound questions about whether that legal threshold was met. And if it was not, then the act was not lawful — it was a violation of civil rights and of basic human dignity.

Let it be clear: even when individuals face accusations or warrants, they retain constitutional rights. Due process is not optional. Police officers do not get to serve as judge, jury, and executioner. This principle is not only moral — it is foundational to the American justice system. [ca.cjis20.org]

Page 3 — The Human Reality Behind the Headlines

Donald Taylor was more than the allegations surrounding him. He was a son, a friend, a loved one, and a human being deserving of life and due process. His life cannot be reduced to headlines nor dismissed under the weight of accusations alone.

We acknowledge that law enforcement tied Donald to a series of crimes in the days before his death, including armed robberies and a shooting. Surveillance footage shows a man they identified as Taylor carrying a firearm in several incidents. [flsenate.gov], [floridafor...hology.com]

However, the presence or absence of allegations does not negate the facts of the video. The video shows, with painful clarity, that at the moment he was shot, Donald was not holding a weapon, was not attacking, and was not posing an immediate threat.

Nothing about a person’s past — whether true, alleged, or misinterpreted — justifies killing them as they walk away.

We also cannot ignore the historical reality that Black individuals in America have long been subjected to excessive force, misrepresentation, and dehumanization by institutions sworn to protect them. The killing of Donald Taylor continues a pattern we have witnessed far too often, where police accounts are later contradicted by footage, and where the public is asked to trust narratives that simply do not align with evidence.

This is not merely a tragedy — it is an injustice. An injustice that demands consequences.

As loved ones of Donald, we carry the weight of this pain every day. We are forced not only to grieve but also to fight — to fight for answers, for transparency, and for accountability. Without the courage of a bystander who chose to record and share the video, the truth about Donald’s final moments might never have been known.

Imagine that.

A life taken, a narrative written, and without a camera — no one would have ever known the difference.

That is why we speak now.

That is why we will not stand down.

Page 4 — Our Demands and Path Forward: Who We Are Calling Upon

To honor Donald’s life and to protect our communities from future abuses, we are calling for immediate action. This is not optional. This is a matter of justice.

Below are the agencies with legal authority to investigate, prosecute, and intervene in cases of police misconduct and civil‑rights violations. We ask all community members, civil‑rights advocates, and those who care about justice to contact the following offices and demand a full, independent investigation:

1. Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE)

FDLE is currently responsible for reviewing officer‑involved shootings.

We demand a full release of findings, the officer’s name, and any and all video evidence.

Contact: FDLE Office of Executive Investigations

Phone: (850) 410‑7000

Online Complaint Form: https://www.fdle.state.fl.us

2. Florida Attorney General – Criminal Review & Civil Rights Enforcement

The Attorney General must review whether the use of force complied with state law.

Contact:

Phone: (850) 414‑3300

Email: [email protected]

Website: https://myfloridalegal.com

3. U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) – Civil Rights Division

If constitutional violations occurred, the DOJ must intervene.

Contact: Email: [email protected]

Phone: (202) 514‑3847

Submit a civil‑rights complaint: https://civilrights.justice.gov

4. Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) – Miami Field Office

The FBI investigates excessive force and civil‑rights violations under federal law.

Contact:

Phone: (754) 703‑2000

Submit evidence/tips: https://tips.fbi.gov/

Closing — Justice Is Not Requested, It Is Required

We are not asking for favors. We are not asking for sympathy. We are demanding justice — full, honest, unfiltered justice.

This public statement is not the end of our fight. It is the beginning of a unified call for action. The truth is already visible. The evidence is already available. And now, those in power must decide whether they will stand on the side of justice or on the side of silence. We ask the public to stand with us. We ask the media to continue shedding light.

We ask our leaders to uphold the law — not twist it.

Donald deserved life. He deserved due process. And he deserves justice.

We will not stop until that justice is delivered.

Thank you.

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