Outrage and Policy Review Sparked by Officer's Insensitive Remarks on Grad Student's Tragic Death
Outrage has erupted after body-worn police camera footage was released showing a Seattle officer laughing and suggesting $11,000 as compensation following the death of Jaahnavi Kandula, a 23-year-old graduate student from India who was fatally struck by a police car in January. The officer's comments, which he claimed were intended as mockery towards lawyers, have sparked rallies, online petitions, and demands for justice from the South Asian diaspora. The Indian Consulate General of India in San Francisco has called for a thorough investigation, while US Reps. Ro Khanna and Pramila Jayapal have demanded justice and expressed their disgust. The Seattle Community Police Commission has recommended that the officer be placed on unpaid leave as his comments are investigated.