ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. — Protesters gathered outside the Orange County Sheriff's Office for another day of protests over the deputy-involved shooting of Salaythis Melvin, 22, outside The Florida Mall.
The deputy who shot Melvin was one of hundreds of deputies with the department who don’t wear body cameras.
That’s been a source of frustration for the family, their attorneys and community members like Tina Wilson, who told us she’s planning a protest at the sheriff’s office this Friday with a group of mothers.
READ: Protesters gather at Orange County Sheriff’s Office to demand justice for Salaythis Melvin
“As a mother, a stepmom, it’s appalling,” Wilson said. “We are literally beyond tears. We’re grieving with the mother.”
While the sheriff's office has issued body cameras to 1,091 sworn deputies, as of Monday, 591 still don't have cameras.
In an email, a spokesperson said the uniform patrol division has priority when the cameras are issued because they are first responders. And they said the department does not track units that do not have cameras, but there is a phased plan in place to issue them to all specialized units.
Deputy James Montiel, who shot and killed Melvin, was part of the juvenile arrest and monitor unit or JAM. The unit focuses on gang-related violent crime.
Montiel remains on administrative leave with pay.
The Florida Department of Law Enforcement investigation into the shooting is expected to be completed and sent to the State Attorney’s Office within the next 30 to 60 days, depending on when the medical examiner’s report is finished. The state attorney will determine if charges should be filed.
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