Port Lee Mayor: \u201cIt was a regrettable incident\u2026 Please wait for the results of the prosecutor\u2019s investigation\u201d As public outrage grows over the case of Victoria Lee, a Korean American in Port Lee, New Jersey, who requested an ambulance for mental health reasons but was instead shot and killed by police who responded to the scene, New Jersey State Assembly Member Ellen Park has become the first politician to speak out.<\/p>\n
Additionally, Port Lee Mayor Mark Sokolich stated that because the state prosecutor\u2019s investigation is ongoing in accordance with state law regarding handling of police shootings, it is difficult for the town government and town police to disclose information, and that they will have to wait for the results of the investigation.<\/p>\n
On the 9th, Assemblywoman Ellen Park released a statement saying, \u201cI express my deepest condolences to the family of Victoria Lee,\u201d and \u201cMy office is in contact with the Attorney General\u2019s office regarding this tragic incident. Out of respect for the family and the residents of the apartment, I will refrain from commenting further until more information is available. I hope our community can heal.\u201d Assemblywoman Park made her public statement amid the political circles\u2019 keen interest in this incident. However, Assemblywoman Park did not mention her specific position on the incident in her statement.<\/p>\n
In addition, Mayor Mark Sokolic of Port Lee posted a statement on the town\u2019s website on the same day. Mayor Sokolic said in his statement, \u201cOn behalf of the Port Lee community, I express my deepest condolences to the unfortunate and tragic incident that occurred on May 28th at approximately 1:30 a.m. in which one resident was killed in a police-involved shooting,\u201d but also mentioned that \u201cthe Port Lee Police Department is a well-trained, top-notch law enforcement agency.\u201d \u201cWe have continued to hold meetings and discussions with various groups since the incident. However, the state law on handling police-involved shootings states that the State Attorney\u2019s Office conducts the investigation, and the town government and the town police department must follow that,\u201d Sokolic said.<\/p>\n
\u201cSince the State Attorney\u2019s Office of Public Integrity and Accountability conducts the investigation, the Fort Lee Police Department and the Bergen County District Attorney cannot participate in the investigation in any way. During the investigation, no member of the Fort Lee Police Department will issue any press releases, comments, or statements.\u201d<\/p>\n
In his statement, Mayor Sokolic said he hopes the State Attorney\u2019s investigation will be completed as quickly as possible, but he does not know how long this process will take, and he asked for patience during the investigation.<\/p>\n
Mayor Sokolic\u2019s statement came 12 days after the incident on May 28. He expressed his condolences but did not mention the allegations of excessive police action raised by the family of Lee, who was with him at the time of the shooting and witnessed the incident, citing the need to wait for the results of the State Attorney\u2019s investigation.<\/p>\n
Meanwhile, as the tragic circumstances of Lee\u2019s death were revealed through an interview between this newspaper and Lee\u2019s mother on the 7th, the voices of public outrage among Koreans are growing louder. Korean parents with children are expressing anger and anxiety.<\/p>\n
A woman in her 40s told this newspaper, \u201cI couldn\u2019t stop crying while reading the interview article with Lee\u2019s mother,\u201d and \u201cKorean mothers around me who learned the specific details of the incident through the article are so outraged and heartbroken.\u201d<\/p>\n
In a message sent to this newspaper, a resident of Port Lee said, \u201cThere are people in the Kakao Talk chatroom where parents gather who are worried, saying, \u2018I\u2019m afraid to call 911. My child could be shot by the police when they arrive.\u2019 This is an unbelievable thing that happened, and Koreans need to actively speak out for a speedy investigation.\u201d Another Korean woman said, \u201cNow, my heart races whenever I see a police car. I wonder why the Port Lee Town government isn\u2019t acting on this ridiculous incident where a woman in her 20s was shot and killed by the police.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"