Black Archives - The American Retiree

Homicide Ruling in Tragic Death of Black Man Restrained by Hotel Security Guards

Portland, Oregon – A ruling of homicide has been declared in the death of a Black man who died after a violent altercation with security personnel at a prominent Portland hotel earlier this year. The Multnomah County Medical Examiner determined the cause of death as suffocation, with heart disease and methamphetamine use noted as contributing factors. The incident, which unfolded at the Silver Lining Hotel, has sparked scrutiny of security practices involving restraint and escalated …

Illinois Deputy Dismissed and Faces Murder Charges After Fatal Incident Involving Black Woman at Her Residence

Joliet, IL — An Illinois sheriff’s deputy has been dismissed from his position and faces murder charges following the fatal shooting of a Black woman in her own home, authorities confirmed. The incident, which occurred last week in Joliet, has drawn immense community outcry and sparked calls for a thorough investigation. The Will County Sheriff’s Office released a statement detailing that the deputy, whose name has not been disclosed, was terminated after preliminary findings suggested …

Black Americans Experience Surge in Opioid-related Deaths, CDC Finds

Minneapolis, Minnesota – A recent report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) highlights a concerning trend in the opioid crisis, revealing that in 2020, the opioid-related death rate among Black Americans surpassed that of their white counterparts for the first time since the crisis was declared nearly two decades ago. During 2020 alone, deaths among Black Americans due to opioids surged by 44%, with the death rate nearly doubling for those aged …

Trooper Cleared in Fatal Shooting of Black Motorist: Charges Dismissed

Minneapolis, Minnesota – Prosecutors in Hennepin County are set to drop murder charges against a white state trooper who fatally shot Black motorist Ricky Cobb. The decision follows a hearing in April where the officer’s defense team presented testimony suggesting that he believed Cobb was reaching for a firearm during the incident. This news comes as a shock to Cobb’s family and supporters, who have been seeking justice for his untimely death. The fatal encounter …

Shocking Body Camera Footage Reveals Fatal Shooting of Black Airman by Florida Deputy

FORT WALTON BEACH, Fla. – Body camera footage released by the Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office shows a deputy fatally shooting U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Roger Fortson in his apartment on May 3, 2024. The shooting, resulting in Fortson’s death, has sparked controversy and allegations of unjustifiable force from his family and their legal representation. In the video, the deputy can be seen arriving at the apartment building, engaging with a woman outside who reported …

Overdose Deaths Shift Towards Older Black Adults, New Study Finds

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania – A recent study led by researchers at Penn State University sheds light on the shifting demographic characteristics of individuals who died of drug overdoses in the United States between 2012 and 2021. The researchers utilized data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Wide‐ranging Online Data for Epidemiologic Research (WONDER) to analyze this troubling trend. This study, led by Abenaa Jones, assistant professor of human development and family studies at Penn …

Supreme Court Rejects Appeal from Black Lives Matter Leader Held Liable for Violent Police Attack

Baton Rouge, Louisiana – The Supreme Court declined an appeal on Monday from a Black Lives Matter organizer held responsible for a violent incident at a protest he led. The case involved civil rights activist Deray Mckesson, who was sued by an unnamed Baton Rouge police officer for injuries sustained during a 2016 protest. The officer claimed Mckesson should have known the protest could turn violent, leading to his injuries. The lawsuit has gone through …

Black Maternal Health Week Shines Light on Preventable Disparities in Pregnancy-Related Deaths

Philadelphia, PA – As Black Maternal Health Week approaches from April 11-17, highlighting the importance of Black maternal health, the ongoing disparities in maternal mortality rates between Black and White women in the United States continue to be a pressing issue. Every year, hundreds of individuals experience pregnancy-related deaths or severe complications during childbirth, with a significant portion of these outcomes deemed preventable. The need for timely recognition of maternal warning signs, prompt medical intervention, …

Deputies Sentenced for Brutal Attack on Black Men: Judge Condemns Cruelty

Jackson, Miss. – Two former Mississippi deputies were sentenced by a federal judge for their involvement in torturing two Black men during a home invasion. Christian Dedmon, 29, was sentenced to 40 years in prison, while Daniel Opdyke, 28, received a 17.5-year sentence. U.S. District Judge Tom Lee condemned the cruelty of their actions, describing Dedmon’s behavior as “shocking, brutal, and cruel.” The incident took place in January 2023 when Dedmon, Opdyke, along with four …

Former Mississippi Deputies Sentenced for Torturing Black Men in Cruel Attack

JACKSON, Miss. — Two former Mississippi deputies were sentenced to years in prison on Wednesday by a federal judge, who condemned their actions as cruel for breaking into a home with four other white officers and torturing two Black men. U.S. District Judge Tom Lee handed down a 40-year prison sentence to Christian Dedmon, 29, and a 17½-year sentence to Daniel Opdyke, 28. Lee described Dedmon’s attacks against the two Black men, Michael Corey Jenkins …