Officer D.C. Twiddy be fired from the RPD and charged with the murder of Akiel Denkins.

Akiel Denkins' fate was one that no one deserves. 

In 2011, at age 19, Denkins walked into the Neighbor to Neighbor Outreach on South Blount Street and declared himself sick of street life. He wanted to pursue his GED and find a steady job. However, on February 29th, 2016, his plans for greatness were put on a forever halt.

On Monday, February 29, 2016, at approximately 12 p.m., Officer Twiddy observed Mr. Denkins standing on Bragg Street and attempted to arrest Mr. Denkins on orders for arrest for failure to appear on the felony charges of possession with intent to sell and deliver cocaine and two counts of sell/deliver cocaine. Mr. Denkins was shot and killed by Officer Twiddy during this attempted arrest behind the residence at 1117 S. East Street, Raleigh, North Carolina.

In a release issued that Wednesday, the DA's office concluded that Officer Twiddy shot 24-year-old Denkins on Feb. 29 "as a matter of last resort and only because he believed his own life was in danger." The release went on to say that Denkins was armed and attempted to grab Twiddy's gun during a struggle.

Later reports said that Denkins was not armed at the time of the confrontation and was shot four times, in the chest, both arms, and the right shoulder.

The officer was armed with other weapons, such as a taser, that were available for use in self-defense. However, Officer Twiddy resorted to lethal force. 

Denkins will never be able to live a fulfilling life and his family will never recover from the emotional trauma of losing their son to a crime that would never warrant the death penalty. 

Please sign this petition for the removal of Officer Twiddy from his position and for him to be held accountable for his irreversible mistake. 

PHOTO COURTESY OF CASANOVA WOMACK