Video After The Jump
LeBron James explained his decision late Wednesday to delete a tweet about the fatal police shooting of 16-year-old Ma'Khia Bryant in Columbus, Ohio.
On Wednesday afternoon, the Los Angeles Lakers star tweeted a photo that appeared to show the officer who was involved in the shooting of Bryant with the caption: "YOU'RE NEXT #ACCOUNTABILITY."
Backlash was swift, with Sen. Tom Cotton, R-Ark., accusing the NBA champion of inciting violence against a police officer.
"This is disgraceful & dangerous," he said. "Is the NBA okay with this? Is Twitter?"
James, who has used his platform as one of the world's most famous athletes to become a leading voice on social justice issues, said he took down his original post because it was "being used to create more hate."
"This isn’t about one officer," James said in a follow-up tweet. "It’s about the entire system & they always use our words to create more racism. I am so desperate for more ACCOUNTABILITY."
"I’m so damn tired of seeing Black people killed by police," he added.
The body-worn camera of police Officer Nick Reardon recorded how he arrived at a reported disturbance late Tuesday afternoon. Reardon drew his weapon as the altercation unfolded, the video showed.
A person wearing a black T-shirt is seen with an object in her right hand that she raises toward a second person before Reardon opened fire. The girl whom police shot & killed was identified as Bryant.
#lebronjames #kingjames #lebronjamesyourenext #makhiabryant #ripmakhiabryant #makhiabryantkilledbycop #killed #shottodeath #lethalforce #deadlyforce #16yearsold #fight #brawl #caughtoncamera #nickreardon #knifeattack #knife #columbus #ohio #nba #basketballplayer #losangeleslakers #bodycam #twitter #tweet #controversy #kid #child #teenager
Source: NBC News
Follow Me
}
Comments