06/01/2026
Greensboro City Council at-large representative Irving Allen gave YES! Weekly the following statement about the May 18 release of police body-worn video of the Aug. 5 killing of Said Ezzine:
“Like many people across Greensboro, I have watched the recently released footage of the fatal shooting involving Said Ezzine, a Greensboro resident, and a police officer with deep sadness and concern. While the District Attorney has reviewed the case and determined that no criminal charges will be filed against the officer, this remains a tragedy for our city and for the family and loved ones grieving this loss.
The fact that a shooting may meet the legal standard for justification does not mean we as a community should stop asking hard questions about how we are policed and what standards we expect from those entrusted to protect and serve our neighborhoods. The community must have a direct role in shaping public safety policies, practices, and priorities. That includes making the lives, dignity, and wellbeing of our residents a central priority in every interaction.
Too many lives have been lost in encounters that escalate to deadly force. We must reexamine the policies, training, and practices that continue to lead to deaths. We should continue investing in de-escalation strategies, crisis response training, and community-centered approaches to public safety that prioritize preserving life whenever possible, for both residents and officers. Greensboro has the opportunity and responsibility to set a higher standard for policing that builds trust, accountability, and safety for everyone in our community.”
From Greensboro Police Chief Kamran Afzal’s May 18 statement to the media:
“Any loss of life during an encounter with law enforcement is significant and deeply impactful — for the individual’s loved ones, for the officers involved, and for the broader community we serve. These incidents are difficult, they carry understandable emotion, and they deserve careful review and transparency. As your police chief, I believe our responsibility is to approach moments like this with professionalism, honesty, and openness with the community. The release of this video is part of that commitment.”
“At the same time, legal justification does not end our responsibility as a department. Professional policing requires us to continually evaluate our tactics, training, decision-making, communication, and opportunities to reduce the likelihood of deadly encounters whenever possible. That review is not about assigning blame through hindsight. It is about learning, improving, and ensuring our officers are equipped with the best training and support possible while continuing to protect and serve our community.”
“Our responsibility as a police department is not to avoid those conversations, but to approach them with transparency, professionalism and respect.”
Link to Ian McDowell’s article last week about what the video reveals:
https://www.facebook.com/100063601662168/posts/1600760998720607/?
