The family of the 20-year-old man, who was shot and killed by a former Woodstock police officer, has responded to the news of the officer being granted bond.
According to Emmanuel Millard’s family representative and attorney, Akil Secret, the life of Emmanuel Millard is truly devalued.
In April, Grant Matthew Shaw was indicted by a grand jury for the involuntary manslaughter of Emmanuel Millard.
Shaw has been released on bond.
Secret expressed her frustration with the court and legal system, highlighting the disparity in how they value the lives of individuals. She emphasized that the life and death of a police officer often receive more attention and importance compared to the life of a 20-year-old Black man who had his whole life ahead of him. Secret shared her thoughts with Channel 2’s Audrey Washington.
On Wednesday, Millard’s parents were too distraught to comment. However, their family spokesperson and lawyer conveyed the parents’ sentiments regarding the $50,000 bond.
“They are absolutely devastated,” Secret expressed with a heavy heart.
In October 2023, Shaw fired a shot at Millard’s head after a traffic stop escalated into a police chase in Cobb County.
Audrey Washington from Channel 2 had a conversation with Millard’s parents right after the grand jury indictment was announced.
“I simply want him to receive the complete and extended punishment,” expressed Lenette Millard.
Joseph Francis III, the father of Emmanuel Millard, emphatically stated, “We are fully aware of his guilt.”
A viewer of Channel 2 Action News recently reached out to Washington and shared his encounter with Shaw, where he claimed that Shaw had held him at gunpoint during a routine traffic stop, almost a year prior to the incident involving the shooting of Millard.
After encountering Shaw, the man, who preferred to remain anonymous, expressed his concern, saying, “I believe that guy will end up shooting someone someday.”
Channel 2 Action News conducted an investigation and uncovered Shaw’s Peace Officer Standards and Training Council (POST) record.
Shaw completed one hour of judgmental training in June 2023, along with an additional hour of de-escalation techniques training. In January 2023, Shaw also underwent two hours of rigorous training on the use of deadly force.
