JA Staff Report
It has been nearly two years since the death of 29-year-old Damien Montrell Cameron while in custody of Rankin County sheriff’s deputies Hunter Elward and Luke Stickman July 26, 2021. However, to members of his family and community, the grand jury’s ruling last October not to indict due to insufficient evidence has prevented any closure for them, yet they are more determined than ever to be heard.
“They said they didn’t have enough evidence – the evidence is in his face,” Damien’s mother, Monica Lee Cameron, reiterated at a press conference last week at the Margaret Walker Alexander Library in west Jackson.
“I don’t get it. My son was murdered by the hands of those deputies. They did not have a warrant to enter my home. And even though we live in a second amendment country, my son was unarmed at the time of his murder. The last words that my son ever said to me was, ‘I can’t breathe’ and ‘Mama, I love you.’
“I want them held accountable for what they did to my son. I want updates on the investigation – and I want them now! There has been zero accountability for my son’s murder. I am calling on every person in Jackson, Mississippi, to join our new demands for my son’s case.”
Damien’s family is demanding the release of body and dash cam footage, police and autopsy reports, and any other documents pertaining to her son’s case.
According to Damien’s mother, on July 26, 2021, Elward and Luke Stickman claimed to be responding to a burglary call and accused him of being the perpetrator. After she realized they did not have a warrant, she demanded they leave the home. “The deputies then tased, beat, chased, and suffocated Damien to death,” she said.
COMMUNITYx is the latest organization aiding the Justice 4 Damien investigation. Chloe Cheyenne from COMMUNITYx unveiled their new website www.justice4damien.com.
“Our mission is to inform the public and collect signatures to help end qualified immunity, seek justice in Damien’s death, and insure the officers and department involved do not harm more,” she said.
