Maurica Manyan

Gender : Female

Age : 25

Race : Black

Date : 08/04/2022

Location : Anacostia Neighborhood Library, 1800 Good Hope Rd SE

City : Washington

County : District of Columbia

State : District of Columbia

Agency : D.C. Public Library Special Police

Cause of Death : Gunshot

Event : Killed during training exercise

OPEN RECORDS SUMMARY :

On August 4, 2022, Special Police Officer Maurica "ReRe" Manyan, a 25-year-old mother and member of the D.C. Public Library's public safety division, was fatally shot during a baton training session at the Anacostia Neighborhood Library in Washington, D.C. The training was conducted by 58-year-old Jesse Porter, a retired Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) lieutenant. After the session, as participants prepared to take a group photo, Porter allegedly drew his service weapon, believing it to be a training gun, and discharged a round that struck Officer Manyan in the chest. She was transported to a hospital, where she died from her injuries.
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The incident has raised significant concerns and questions from Officer Manyan's family and the public. Attorney Chelsea Lewis, representing the Manyan family, described the event as "senseless, grossly negligent, and frankly bizarre," emphasizing that justice had not been achieved with Porter's arrest alone. Family members expressed frustration over the lack of transparency and accountability, noting that Porter was released less than 24 hours after the incident. They questioned why a live firearm was present during a baton training and how such a grievous error could occur.
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In September 2023, surveillance footage of the incident was released, showing Porter drawing his firearm and shooting Officer Manyan as she adjusted her mask before the group photo. This led the Manyan family to file a lawsuit against the District of Columbia, alleging failure to provide a safe work environment and seeking accountability for the preventable death.
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Porter was charged with involuntary manslaughter and, in August 2023, was sentenced to three years in prison. The sentence was met with outrage from Officer Manyan's family, who felt it was insufficient given the gravity of the offense. During the sentencing hearing, family members conveyed their profound grief and the lasting impact of the loss on Officer Manyan's young son.

SOURCE LINKS :

https://www.wusa9.com/article/news/local/family-of-maurica-manyan-special-police-officer-killed-in-dc-announces-investigation/65-e068af59-dac8-497a-94e1-c20605955c13
https://jamaica-gleaner.com/article/news/20220820/jamaican-parents-demand-answers-daughters-shooting-death
https://wjla.com/news/local/shooting-family-of-slain-special-police-officer-maurica-manyan-sues-dc-after-video-of-her-death-is-released-security-camera-footage-officer-jesse-porter
https://www.nbcwashington.com/news/local/victims-family-outraged-by-3-year-sentence-in-fatal-police-training-shooting/3411391/
https://www.insideedition.com/family-of-slain-25-year-old-slain-dc-library-cop-maurica-manyan-speaks-out-after-tragic-shooting