Justice for Zachary Legal Fund
Donation protected
Zachary Hammond was an unarmed 19 year old who was shot and killed by Seneca South Carolina Police on July 26, 2015. The dashcam footage of what happened to Zachary was kept from the parents for 90 days.
The officer who shot Zach, Lt. Mark Tiller, had in his short career been reprimanded for losing an assault rifle, losing his K-9, not showing up to court appearances, among other failures, and had still been promoted 3 times in the last 18 months. He states that Zachary was driving towards him and he feared for his life, although we feel video footage directly disputes that.
Seneca officials have a long and documented history of corruption and inability to do their jobs and serve the people of Seneca properly.
Chief of Seneca Police Covington shut his door on the Hammond's and refused to speak to them. His own son had to be removed from the force after stealing narcotics from the station, never served jail time, and is definitely still alive, although the Hammond's son was murdered after his date was found with a single joint. His other son was arrested and fired last week from the Walhalla Police Department for beating a man after he was handcuffed.
The Mayor of Seneca South Carolina, Dan Alexander, has never once called to offer his condolences.
Solicitor Chrissy Adams, the same solicitor who has refused to prosecute anyone in the Tucker Hipps case, has refused lawful Freedom of Information Act requests stating that the investigation is still on-going. However SLED finished their investigation and all of Solicitor Adams follow up questions on August 31st. Also, FOIA only allows exemptions when releasing the video would post harm to an investigation. How could allowing these parents to see what happened to harm an investigation that was finished a month ago?
Other items of important note: Zachary had not committed a crime. Zach's passenger had a single marijuana joint on her person. Another officer "high-fived" Zach's dead body and has since been allowed to resign from the force. Lt. Tiller has now been on paid leave (or "vacation") for 9 weeks now while Zach's parents still wait for answers. Other states have required a special prosecutor to be appointed in all cases of an unarmed person shot by police, Attorney General Alan Wilson says he doesn't see a reason to do this, and Governor #NikkiHaley remains silent.
All donations to this page will go directly to the Zachary Hammond Legal Fund. Zach's parents are normal American people who have worked their whole lives for their modest living. They do not have the means to fight this expensive legal battle alone. The Hammonds are so extremely touched by everyone who has sent messages and offer to help. Winning this battle, as we prepare fot the Federal Civil Rights lawsuit, would not only mean justice for Zach, it would also be an important step to ending police brutality and unjustified use of force. Help us fight for justice, not just for Zachary, but also for the thousands of victims of unjustified use of force that are murdered by police every year.
All media inquiries: [email redacted]
The officer who shot Zach, Lt. Mark Tiller, had in his short career been reprimanded for losing an assault rifle, losing his K-9, not showing up to court appearances, among other failures, and had still been promoted 3 times in the last 18 months. He states that Zachary was driving towards him and he feared for his life, although we feel video footage directly disputes that.
Seneca officials have a long and documented history of corruption and inability to do their jobs and serve the people of Seneca properly.
Chief of Seneca Police Covington shut his door on the Hammond's and refused to speak to them. His own son had to be removed from the force after stealing narcotics from the station, never served jail time, and is definitely still alive, although the Hammond's son was murdered after his date was found with a single joint. His other son was arrested and fired last week from the Walhalla Police Department for beating a man after he was handcuffed.
The Mayor of Seneca South Carolina, Dan Alexander, has never once called to offer his condolences.
Solicitor Chrissy Adams, the same solicitor who has refused to prosecute anyone in the Tucker Hipps case, has refused lawful Freedom of Information Act requests stating that the investigation is still on-going. However SLED finished their investigation and all of Solicitor Adams follow up questions on August 31st. Also, FOIA only allows exemptions when releasing the video would post harm to an investigation. How could allowing these parents to see what happened to harm an investigation that was finished a month ago?
Other items of important note: Zachary had not committed a crime. Zach's passenger had a single marijuana joint on her person. Another officer "high-fived" Zach's dead body and has since been allowed to resign from the force. Lt. Tiller has now been on paid leave (or "vacation") for 9 weeks now while Zach's parents still wait for answers. Other states have required a special prosecutor to be appointed in all cases of an unarmed person shot by police, Attorney General Alan Wilson says he doesn't see a reason to do this, and Governor #NikkiHaley remains silent.
All donations to this page will go directly to the Zachary Hammond Legal Fund. Zach's parents are normal American people who have worked their whole lives for their modest living. They do not have the means to fight this expensive legal battle alone. The Hammonds are so extremely touched by everyone who has sent messages and offer to help. Winning this battle, as we prepare fot the Federal Civil Rights lawsuit, would not only mean justice for Zach, it would also be an important step to ending police brutality and unjustified use of force. Help us fight for justice, not just for Zachary, but also for the thousands of victims of unjustified use of force that are murdered by police every year.
All media inquiries: [email redacted]
Organizer
Justice for Zachary
Organizer
Greenville, SC