Family demands answers after deadly officer-involved shooting in Wilmington
WILMINGTON, NC (WWAY) — Just two days after their son’s death, 21-year-old Edilberto Espinoza Sierra’s family held a protest Tuesday morning outside the Market Street Parking Deck.
Family and friends of Edilberto Sierra, nicknamed “Betito” by his family, held up signs that read “No Mother Should Bury Her Son” as they chanted and protested what they are calling his murder.
Police say officers and deputies were responding to a shooting in the parking deck on Market Street, where they found Sierra in a vehicle.
Investigators say Sierra did not comply with commands and was shot after nearly hitting officers while driving off.
A video sent to WWAY showed the incident.
To be clear, this video does not show what happens after Sierra’s car turns the corner in the parking deck as his movements and the locations of law enforcement can not be seen.
During the protest, his mother begged for justice.
“Please. Please help me. I believe in a God that has power, and he’s going to give me the power because right now I can’t do anything, and I know he’s going to help me to find my justice,” said Sierra’s mother.
Sierra’s grandmother flew in from El Salvador to support her daughter and family, saying the pain of losing him is something they will carry forever.
“It hurts me to be here with my family. It’s a very great pain that she has gone through. This isn’t easy for a mother. It’s the most important thing, your children. We’ve never lost something like this; it’s a pain that you could never imagine. We’re going to always feel that pain,” said Sierra’s grandmother.
Sierra’s brother, who was also in the parking deck the morning of the shooting, says he didn’t realize Edilberto was involved.
“I didn’t even know he got shot. I thought the other people were shooting at the police,” said Sierra’s brother.
His younger sister, 18-year-old Genesis Espinoza Sierra, says the family wants someone to be held responsible.
“Having these people be presented with the law; this is an abuse of power, it’s murder, that would be justice for us,” said Espinoza Sierra.
To be clear, there are two investigations.
The North Carolina SBI is investigating the officer-involved shooting.
Three Wilmington Police officers and four New Hanover County Sheriff’s Deputies are on paid administrative leave, which is standard during an officer-involved shooting investigation.
WWAY has been told multiple cameras captured the shooting, all of which are in evidence.
A suspect has been identified in connection with the initial shooting call in which a man was injured.
The city of Wilmington has now moved to seal the 911 calls on this case, claiming that the records would undermine the ongoing and future investigation and jeopardize the right of the state to prosecute the defendant and the right of the defendant to a fair trial.
