WINSTON-SALEM - The Ministers' Conference of Winston-Salem along with city officials and the NAACP, held a press conference Monday to talk about transparency from the Winston-Salem Police in Edward Van McCrae's death.
McCrae, 60, died after an officer-involved shooting following a traffic stop on Bowen Blvd. Friday night just after 10:30.
MCWSV Social Justice Chair Bishop Todd Fulton, NAACP President Rev. Alvin Carlisle, Mayor Allen Joines, Councilman James Taylor, Winston-Salem Police Department Chief Catrina Thompson, and other city officials attended.
Officials that spoke emphasized the importance of a complete, balanced investigation into the shooting.
"We want to be totally transparent in this investigation," Joines said.
"We will not riot," Fulton said. "We will not destroy our city and community. We will come together. We want to do it in decency and in order."
"We are doing what's right," Fulton added. "It's right to make sure we have a thorough investigation for both parties."
Chief Thompson did not answer any questions due to the ongoing investigation.
Michael Banner attended the news conference. Although they're not related, he calls McCrae his uncle.
“He was a sincere guy. I wouldn’t call him a bad guy. The cops might see him as being unruly,” said Banner of McCrae who does have a criminal history.
Banner has concerns about what happened and fears about how African Americans are treated during traffic stops, but he does trust the Winston-Salem Police Department to be forthcoming in this case.
“I’m having more confidence that the police will be transparent. I think this is a new day in age and I think they know in Winston-Salem, the people in the communities will hold them accountable,” said Banner.
According to the police report, Officer D.E. McGuire told McCrae to stop reaching toward "concealed areas of the vehicle." Police say despite those commands, McCrae did not stop and Officer McGuire asked him to get out of the car and called for backup.
The report says there was a physical struggle between McCrae and McGuire and McCrae did not listen to the officer when he told him to "stop reaching." Police say the struggle continued and Officer McGuire saw a handgun. Police say the officer ordered McCrae not to reach for the gun before he shot his weapon.
