On the afternoon of January 4, 20-year-old Sayed Faisal, a college student and resident of Cambridge who was Bangladeshi American, was shot and killed by an officer from the Cambridge Police Department.
This tragedy has sparked uproar throughout Cambridge, leading to protests citywide, heated exchanges with officials at public forums, and even a takeover of City Hall. Some protesters are accusing the police of brutality, racism, and Islamophobia in Faisal’s death.
The demonstrations come during a broader national conversation about policing fueled by outrage over systemic racism and police violence after several high-profile cases. Just days after Faisal’s shooting, Tyre Nichols, 29, was beaten fatally by Memphis police officers – a case that set off protests across the country including at Harvard’s campus.
Faisal’s shooting has drawn international attention and led many to question CPD’s practices. Activists and some community leaders have pushed again for police reform and alternative safety approaches because they believe officers aren’t trained to handle mental health emergencies properly.
A statement from Faisal’s parents – Sayed Mujibullah and Mosammat Shaheda – was released two days after his death by the Massachusetts chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations.
They affectionately called their son “Prince” and described him as “loving,” “generous,” and very devoted to family.
“Prince was a normal law-abiding citizen who had no record of any kind with law enforcement. He was never violent towards anyone,” they said. “We want to know what happened and how this tragic event unfolded.”
Details About What Happened
At 1:15 p. m. on January 4, someone called 911 reporting that a man-later identified as Faisal-had jumped out of a window and was hurting himself, according to CPD’s official statement.
After chasing him on foot through five blocks in Cambridgeport, officers say Faisal approached them holding a knife. One officer fired a non-lethal sponge round at him but it didn’t stop him from coming closer.
The situation escalated when another officer shot him fatally.
No body camera footage exists because CPD officers don’t wear cameras. However, surveillance video released shows shirtless Faisal being chased by at least four officers.
CPD spokesperson Jeremy C. Warnick emailed that this is the first time in over two decades that an officer-involved shooting resulted in death in Cambridge.
In recent weeks there have been multiple protests across Cambridge following the fatal shooting of student Sayed Faisal by city police. | By Ryan H. Doan-Nguyen
Warnick also said that the officer who fired had been with CPD for seven years without any previous complaints.
Middlesex County District Attorney Marian T. Ryan is investigating the case now while the involved officer is on paid administrative leave.
Police Commissioner Christine A. Elow promised full cooperation from CPD during the investigation process after the incident occurred.
The city hasn’t made public which officers were involved yet due to department policy but plans to release those names along with related reports once DA Ryan finishes her review.
“No Justice, No Peace”
A month after Faisal’s death, protests against police violence continue shaking up Cambridge life significantly. On January 23rd during a usual City Council meeting things got tense when protesters suddenly stood up from seats yelling chants like “Release the names,” “No justice, no peace,” and “Send those killer cops to jail.”
The council quickly voted for recess.
Suhail P. Purkar , organizer with Boston Party for Socialism & Liberation who led this protest outside council meeting told an interviewer how much it affected people directly :
“We can’t allow them to have business as usual,” he said. ”So we need to have some sort of disruption. ”
The group marched on toward Mayor Sumbul Siddiqui ’ s office demanding she reveal which officers took part in shooting Faisal.
Purkar criticized waiting until after investigations before releasing names saying he doesn’t trust official inquiries:
“If the names of the officers aren’t released , and members of community don’t get chance come forward saying ‘This happened,’ how can anyone say there’s been full investigation?”
Activists keep asking for firing these cops named publicly followed by prosecution.
Cambridge protests began right outside City Hall January 5th day following killing , then continued again January 9th carrying large handmade portrait honoring Faisal while similar rallies formed simultaneously in Dhaka Bangladesh where people linked arms protesting too.
More gatherings took place around places important here such as where he died -Cambridgeport (Jan11), Harvard Square (Jan14), DA office (Jan21).
During marches people called loudly for less militarized policing along with alternatives focused more on public safety than force; many demands handed straight over face-to-face at police HQ end-of-march Jan29 starting Somerville High School where Faisal studied.
A few organizers even went inside hoping Police Commissioner Elow would meet them personally.
“They’re calling if Christine Elow is here & if she’ll be brave enough face her own community,” Purkar told crowd gathered waiting replies.
When told she wasn’t available organizers left written demands behind chanting ‘We’ll be back!’
A City Mourns
Sayed Faisal – only child born into immigrant Bangladeshi family – leaves his hometown filled with sorrow now.
His family moved here about ten years ago according to Boston Globe reports; he went onto Winter Hill Community Innovation School covering grades pre-K through eight based in Somerville district.
Sara Halawa working alongside Safe Schools Somerville shared how he took part actively helping immigrant youth groups participating creatively such as contributing artwork towards Mystic River Mural Project spanning decades environmental themes plus speaking engagements plus serving as interpreter supporting newcomers learning language/civic rights within local Welcome Project network.
“This guy really worked hard & got involved deeply within community programs,” Halawa mentioned warmly.
An emotional gathering held next Harvard Square saw tributes read aloud from friends & teachers remembering details:
One friend said he loved customizing shoes spending hours perfecting designs; studying computer engineering at University Massachusetts Boston aspiring towards game developer career path.
“He had hopes dreams stolen away unfairly by police force,” they stated simply.
Father Mujibullah speaking via translator told WCVB Jan5 interview mentioning son excelled academically aiming doctor or engineer roles one day
“But now all hope seems lost,” Mujibullah added sadly.
Maria Khwaja former teacher couldn’t believe news reading about student gone so soon:
“I sat crying thirty minutes alone thinking ‘this kid deserved better,’” she said addressing protesters
“I never experienced losing anyone I taught like this.”
Amtiaz Uddin best friend broke down recalling times playing cricket biking skating going gym together
“Nobody could hate him or feel uncomfortable around him ever,” Uddin reflected tearfully.
A candlelight vigil held Jan11 near corner where shooting happened brought religious leaders offering prayers across Islam Judaism Hinduism Christianity traditions while locals lit candles laid flowers creating makeshift shrine remembering his life.
The Bangladeshi Association New England started Go Fund Me campaign supporting family raising over $70k toward $100k goal currently since Thursday last update.
Siddiqui spoke addressing residents week after incident expressing deep sympathies:
“I’ve struggled to find words.. As your mayor.. deeply connected South Asian immigrant Bengali community.. I offer deepest condolences..”
Cameras Off But Questions On Policing Remain
The last time someone died due to police gunfire here was back in 2002 involving Daniel Furtado armed inside East Cambridge home reportedly struggling mentally ill who charged at cops resulting in shots fired after tear gas deployed breaking door down.
This history brings past scrutiny over calls pushing changes about handling health crises adequately using force less often.
An April 2018 controversy arose when Black Harvard undergrad arrested violently outside Yardfest concert triggered accusations against CPD brought footage showing tackles punches leaving student bleeding transported hospital.
Former commissioner Bard Jr defended arrest citing fast-paced scenario needing quick action despite backlash forming demonstrations questioning racial bias use-force policies creating new unit tasked monitoring those concerns subsequently independent review found no policy violations nor excessive force though many students disagreed urging separate medical emergency response teams removing cops completely.
The department also faced criticism around military-style gear owned including assault rifles plus armored Lenco Bear Cat vehicle seen deployed during Black Lives Matter march wearing tactical equipment
Bard administration reduced weaponry inventory cutting twenty percent long guns stopped camouflage uniforms changed Bear Cat usage rules requiring commissioner okay beforehand
Warnick confirmed upcoming updated weapons report will show Bear Cat still kept requiring permission before used.
This year marks just about one year since Christine Elow became permanent commissioner promising department become ‘model’ policing example nationally.
Elow called previous incidents lessons learned hoping universities partner creating crisis amnesty opportunities helping students instead criminalizing medical emergencies.
Tackling Public Safety Differently
The effort seeking ways other than traditional policing dates back years prior tackling issues highlighted by George Floyd murder nationwide setting reforms underway locally too.
Councilor Quinton Zondervan pushed shifting funds away cop budget toward youth support especially Black youth eventual creation Public Safety Task Force reviewing strategies overall approach:
This taskforce report May21 acknowledged CPD praised nationally progressive approaches yet suggested exploring truly best practices going forward recommending establishing Department Community Safety responding directly some types emergency calls notably mental health substance abuse homelessness related incidents rather than uniformed police units,
Diverging slightly another group HEART (Holistic Emergency Alternative Response Team) proposed independent alternative funded separately envisioned by activist collective The Black Response advocating abolition type change.
In interviews HEART president Stephanie Guirand explained frustration prompted forming outside city control transparent open process failed attempts earlier gaining council support requesting taskforce openness,
“We asked city councilor transparency policy order failed so we doubled down organizing own process highly public..” she noted,
Last year council chose funding Community Safety Dept ($3 million FY23) denying HEART funds meanwhile giving CPD budget boost above $73 million compared prior year $69 mil.,
Community Safety Dept still early phase Elizabeth Speakman heading domestic gender violence coordination overseeing startup, ,
Purkar voiced concern close ties dept maintains with existing emergency system fearing calls reroute returning control law enforcement undermining purpose, ,
Guirand reported HEART call volume almost tripled post-Faisal killing working toward expanding responder ranks currently limited seven members, ,
Council continuing discussions examining use-of-force rules recently hearing testimony Feb18 Deane reaffirm lethal force sometimes necessary arguing nonlethal pursuit not always viable while Zondervan advocating disarming citing problem guns not training, ,
Body cameras debated later six favor implementation Zondervan dissenting privacy worries, ,
Massachusetts legislators revived Medical Civil Rights Act proposal Jan20 mandating immediate EMS requests during medical crises aiming legal protections lacking currently especially aiding vulnerable individuals experiencing mental health emergencies interacting cops strongly supported elsewhere like Connecticut Maine,.& nbsp,
Zondervan stated shortly post-killing need major rethink public safety approach emphasizing dark chapter nobody forgets,
“If we really are special progressive unique why does our young man die crisis hands local PD?” ended candidly.
If you or someone you know needs help at Harvard contact Counseling Mental Health Services (617)495-2042 or University Police Department (617)495-1212 confidential peer counseling groups available details here.
You may reach out University Chaplain privately [email protected] or online here.
You can call Suicide & Crisis Lifeline anytime dial 988 or text HOME send message Crisis Text Line number741741 providing instant support.
– Staff writer Ryan H. Doan-Nguyen reachable [email protected] Twitter @ryandoannguyen
– Staff writer Yusuf S. Mian reachable [email protected] Twitter @yusuf_mian2
– Staff writer John N. Pena reachable [email protected] Twitter @john_pena7
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