OLYMPIA, Wash. — Long before the Olympia City Council meeting began, there was a loud, emotional meeting in the streets.
More than 100 protesters called for swift justice and accountability for the shooting of 24-year-old Andre Thompson and his step-brother, 21-year-old Bryson Chaplin, by 35-year-old Olympia police Officer Ryan Donald.
A handful of protesters carried signs in support of police, including Olympia resident Gary Clover, who also expressed his opinion to those condemning police.
"If you resist arrest, bad things are going to happen," said Clover. "That's really the bottom line."
Olympia Police Chief Ronnie Roberts thanked the emotional crowd packing City Hall for being peaceful, and asked them to be patient with investigators.
"I will not know the answers to many of the questions that you may have, and frankly, the questions that I still have as well," said Roberts, who added that he was being kept out of the shooting investigation.
Jim Johnson, who says he saw and heard the confrontation and shooting in the street outside his home last week, told the chief the investigation needs immediate community oversight.
"None of us have been interviewed by police," Johnson said. "We are witnesses to this. That undermines the credibility of the investigation," he added.
Olympia resident Pete Bohmer was one of several who told the city council about the need for a civilian review board in Olympia.
Others urged Roberts and the community not to assume they know what led Donald to shoot the two men.
"It is, in my view, inappropriate for the chief or anyone else to make a statement--that it appears that race had nothing to do with it," said Olympia resident Nat Jackson.
As protesters condemning and supporting police squared off outside, people inside calmly called for immediate change.
Zoltan Grossman told the council "We don't just want a conversation, we want action, now."
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