Thousands expected in US police shooting protest

About 2,000 outraged members of the Somali community in Columbus, Ohio, were expected to protest outside City Hall today to demand justice for the death of a mentally ill immigrant shot by a sheriff’s deputy.

“We are not against the mayor or the city,” said Omar Hassan, president of the Somali Community Association of Ohio.

“We came from a war-torn country to a safe haven. ...They should have protected us. Why did they shoot someone who is mentally ill?”

Nasir Abdi, 23, was shot on Wednesday as four Franklin County deputies tried to take him back to a mental hospital where he had been forced to take medication.

Columbus police detectives said Deputy Jason Evans, a seven-year veteran, shot Abdi after he threatened the deputies with a kitchen knife that had a 6-inch blade.

Columbus police are investigating the shooting because it occurred within city limits.

Results of the investigation will be turned over to a Franklin County grand jury.