Congressman Cohen’s Statement on Department of Justice Review of the Darrius Stewart Shooting

[WASHINGTON, DC] – Congressman Steve Cohen (TN-09), ranking member of the House Judiciary Subcommittee on the Constitution and Civil Justice, today released the following statement after the Department of Justice announced that it, in tandem with its Civil Rights Division, the U.S. Attorney’s Office, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation, would conduct a comprehensive review of the Darrius Stewart shooting.

“I am pleased that the Department of Justice and FBI are conducting a comprehensive review of the Darrius Stewart shooting,” said Congressman Cohen. “In July, I asked the Department of Justice to open an independent investigation to determine whether any federal civil rights violations had occurred and have continued to urge them to do so. This case should have the full, fair and public review it deserves.”

Congressman Cohen initially asked the Department of Justice to investigate the Darrius Stewart case in July. A copy of Congressman Cohen’s July letter to the Department of Justice can be found here. A copy of the Department of Justice’s October 16, 2015 response can be found here. Congressman Cohen renewed his call for a federal investigation on November 2, 2015. A copy of Congressman Cohen’s November 3 letter to Attorney General Lynch can be found here. In November, Congressman Cohen asked U.S. Attorney General Loretta Lynch to open a federal investigation during a House Judiciary Hearing. The full video of Congressman Cohen’s questions to U.S. Attorney General Loretta Lynch can be found here.