The following is a list of unarmed black people killed by police since Tyler Merritt first heard the news of Alton Sterling's death on Tuesday, July 5, 2016, through April, 2021, when the book went to publication. The full list can be found on pages 239-246 of I Take My Coffee Black. As much biographical information about these people as could be found in a limited amount of research time has been linked to their names so that you can get to know them as the sons, daughters, fathers, mothers, and friends they were. This is a work in progress.
Alton Sterling
July 5, 2016, Baton Rouge, Louisiana
Alton Sterling (1979-2016) - BlackPast
Alton Sterling (June 14, 1979-July 5, 2016) - Say Their Names Memorial
Alton Sterling - Say Their Names Exhibit, Stanford University Libraries
Family Members Speak Out On Death of Alton Sterling - YouTube
(The video linked above includes the footage of Sterling's son mentioned in the book.)
Killing of Alton Sterling - Wikipedia
Alton Sterling - Dangerous Objects
See also links to stories about Alton Sterling on the Additional Resources page.
Philando Castile
July 6, 2016, Falcon Heights, Minnesota
Philando Castile, 1983-2016 - Charter Oak Cultural Center #FaceToTheName Project
Philando Divall Castile (1983-2016) - BlackPast
Philando Castile (July 16, 1983-July 6, 2016) - Say Their Names Memorial
Philando Castile - Say Their Names Exhibit, Stanford University Libraries
Philando Castile Was a Role Model to Hundreds of Kids, Colleagues Say - Time
Philando Castile Relief Foundation
Killing of Philando Castile - Wikipedia
The Death of Philando Castile and the Trial of Jeronimo Yanez - MPR News
Philando Castile Minnesota Police Shooting: Officer Cleared of Manslaughter Charge - Vox
Philando Castile - Dangerous Objects
Philando Divall Castile - FindAGrave Memorial
See also links to stories about Philando Castile on the Additional Resources page.
Joseph Curtis Mann
July 11, 2016, Sacramento, California
Joseph Mann, Age 51 - Charter Oak Cultural Center #FaceToTheName Project
Joseph C. Mann (1966-2016) - BlackPast
Killing of Joseph Mann - Wikipedia
Korryn Gaines
August 1, 2016, Randallstown, Maryland
Korryn Gaines (August 24, 1992-August 1, 2016) - Say Their Names Memorial
Korryn Gaines - Say Their Names Exhibit, Stanford University Libraries
Shooting of Korryn Gaines - Wikipedia
Korryn Shandawn Gaines - FindAGrave Memorial
Terrence LeDell Sterling
September 11, 2016, Washington, DC
Hundreds Protest DC Police Fatal Shooting - WUSA9
Terrence Sterling: Unarmed & Killed by Police, His Family Speaks Out - WUSA9
Terrence Sterling - Dangerous Objects
Terrence Sterling, RIP: More Than a Hashtag - The Huffington Post
Terrence Sterling Honored by D.C. Community - The Hilltop
Terence Crutcher
September 16, 2016, Tulsa, Oklahoma
Terence Crutcher (1976-2016) - BlackPast
Shooting of Terence Crutcher - Wikipedia
Terence Crutcher - Dangerous Objects
Terence Crutcher: Four Years Later - 2News Oklahoma
Remembering Terence Crutcher - 2News Oklahoma
Remembering Terence Crutcher 5 Years After Being Killed by Tulsa Officer - NewsChannel8 Tulsa
Terence T. Crutcher - FindAGrave Memorial
Alfred Olango
September 27, 2016, El Cajon, California
Alfred Olango, Age 38 - Charter Oak Cultural Center #FaceToTheName Project
Alfred Okwera Olango (1978-2016) - BlackPast
Killing of Alfred Olango - Wikipedia
Alfred Olango - Dangerous Objects
Alfred Olango (1978-September 27, 2016) - Say Their Names Memorial
Who Was Alfred Olango? - NBC 7 San Diego
A Police Shooting: The Death of Alfred Olango -KPBS
Alfred Okwera Olango (Greenwood Memorial Park), Alfred Okwera Olango - FindAGrave Memorials
Deborah Danner
October 18, 2016, The Bronx, New York City, New York
Deborah J. Danner (1950-2016) - BlackPast
Shooting of Deborah Danner - Wikipedia
Statement on the Fatal Shooting of Deborah Danner - Legal Services NYC
NYPD Sergeant Who Shot Mentally Ill Woman Found Not Guilty - Eyewitness News ABC 7
NYPD Sergeant Who Fatally Shot Deborah Danner To Face Disciplinary Hearing - Gothamist
NYPD Sergeant Finally Faces Trial in Death of Schizophrenic Bronx Woman - New York Post
Officer Faces Discipline 5 Years After Killing Mentally Ill Woman - The New York Times
NYPD Seeks to Fire Sergeant in Fatal Bronx Shooting - New York Daily News
Chad Robertson
February 15, 2017, Chicago, Illinois
Chad Robertson - Dangerous Objects
Amtrak Police Officer Shoots Man Outside Union Station - ABC7 Eyewitness News
Family of Man Shot by Amtrak Police Officer Calls for Justice - ABC7 Eyewitness News
Chad Robertson, 25, Who Was Shot by Amtrak Police Outside Union Station Dies - ABC7 Eyewitness News
Amtrak Officer Charged with Murder Near Union Station: 'He Killed My Son' - DNAinfo
Community Seeks Justice for Chad Robertson - Unicorn Riot
Amtrak Police Officer Charged with Murder in Chicago Shooting - Reuters
Amtrak Copy Charged with Murder Bonds Out of Jail - Chicago Sun-Times
Judge Acquits Amtrak Officer in Fatal Chicago Shooting - NBC5 Chicago
Amtrak Police Officer Found Not Guilty of Murder in 2017 Union Station Shooting - Chicago Sun-Times
Amtrak Officer Acquitted After Killing Unarmed Minnesota Man in Chicago - Unicorn Riot
Chad Kenyatta "Money Man" Robertson - FindAGrave Memorial
Jordan Edwards
April 29, 2017, Balch Springs, Texas
Jordan Edwards (2002-April 29, 2017) - Say Their Names Memorial
Jordan Edwards - Say Their Names Exhibit, Stanford University Libraries
The Killing of Unarmed Teenager Jordan Edwards - Human Rights Dallas
Murder of Jordan Edwards - Wikipedia
Jordan Edwards - Dangerous Objects
Police Account Changes in Killing of Texas 15-Year-Old - The New York Times
Texas Cop Who Fatally Shot 15-Year-Old Has Been Fired, Police Say - ABC News
Jordan Edwards Shooting: Texas Police Officer Fired - BBC
The Police Officer Who Killed 15-Year-Old Jordan Edwards Has Been Charged With Murder - Vox
Jury Sentences Former North Texas Officer to 15 Years in Prison for Murder - CBS DFW
Jordan "J-Money" Edwards - FindAGrave Memorial
Charleena Chavon Lyles
Unborn child of Charleena Chavon Lyles (14-15 weeks)
June 18, 2017, Seattle, Washington
Charleena Lyles (1987-2017) - BlackPast
Charleena Lyles (April 4, 1987-June 18, 2017) - Say Their Names Memorial
Charleena Lyles Inquest: Jury Finds Officers Used Reasonable Force in Deadly 2017 Shooting KIRO 7
Fatal Police Shooting of Pregnant Woman in Seattle Was Justified, Inquest Jury Finds - NBC News
Summary of Inquest Hearings Into the SPD Shooting of Charleena Lyles - South Seattle Emerald
Charleena Lyles v. City of Seattle Press Coverage - Law Firm of Stritmatter Kessler Koehler Moore
Charleena Lyles v. City of Seattle - Law Firm of Stritmatter Kessler Koehler Moore
Charleena Chavon "Leena" Lyles - FindAGrave Memorial
Aaron Bailey
June 29, 2017, Indianapolis, Indiana
The Police Shooting of Aaron Bailey - Indy Star
Indianapolis Remembers Aaron Bailey, Vows to Fight On - Liberation
No Charges in Federal Investigation Into Aaron Bailey Shooting - Indy Star
FBI Finishes Investigation into Indianapolis Police Shooting of Aaron Bailey - FOX 59
Stephon Alonzo Clark
March 18, 2018, Sacramento, California
Stephon Clark, 1995-2018 - Charter Oak Cultural Center #FaceToTheName Project
Stephon Clark (1995-2018) - BlackPast
Stephon Clark (August 10, 1995-March 18, 2018) - Say Their Names Memorial
Stephon Clark - Say Their Names Exhibit, Stanford University Libraries
Shooting of Stephon Clark - Wikipedia
Stephon Clark - Dangerous Objects
Shooting of Stephon Clark - The Sacramento Bee
Officers Who Killed Stephon Clark Reveal New Details About the Night He Died - CNN
No Criminal Charges for Sacramento Police Officers Who Fatally Shot Stephon Clark - NPR
Stephon Clark: Police Officers Who Shot Man Eight Times Will Not Be Charged - The Guardian
Stephon Clark's Family Demands Action and Accountability from Sacramento Police - ABC10
City of Sacramento Settles Lawsuit with Stephon Clark's Family, Agrees to Pay $1.7 Million - KCRA3
Stephon Alonzo "Zoe" Clark - FindAGrave Memorial
Saheed Vassell
April 4, 2018, Brooklyn, New York City, New York
Saheed Vassell - Dangerous Objects
Police Fatally Shoot a Brooklyn Man After Falsely Believing He Had a Gun - The New York Times
NYC Police Fatally Shot Saheed Vassell While Carrying a Metal Pipe - The Philadelphia Tribune
Family of Man Killed by Police Wants Body Cam Video Released - ABC7
NYPD Shoot, Kill Mentally Ill Man Saheed Vassell After Mistaking A Metal Pipe for a Gun - OkayPlayer
I Demand Justice for Saheed: NYPD is Protecting Officers Who Killed My Son - New York Daily News
New York Police Release Video of Man Pointing Object Before Fatal Shooting - CNN
Saheed Vassell - PBS News Hour
Saheed Vassell and the Forgotten Victims of Police Brutality - Columbia Journalism Review
Family Demands Answers After Brooklyn Cops Kill Saheed Vassell, an Unarmed Black Man - Daily Beast
Saheed Vassell, A Curated Collection of Links - The Marshall Project
A Year After Saheed Vasell's Death, His Parents Are Still Searching for Justice - The Brooklyn Eagle
Antwon Rose Jr.
June 19, 2018, East Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Antwon Rose Jr. (2000-2018) - Black Past
Antwon Rose Jr (July 12, 2000-June 19, 2018) - Say Their Names Memorial
Killing of Antwon Rose Jr - Wikipedia
Antwon Rose Jr - Dangerous Objects
What We Know About the Police Shooting Death of Antwon Rose Jr. - PBS News Hour
Antwon Rose Jr. - The Marshall Project
Coming Together to Remember Antwon Rose Jr. - Pittsburgh Steelers
Antwon Rose Jr. Story - YouTube
Antwon Michael Rose II - FindAGrave Memorial
Botham Shem Jean
September 6, 2018, Dallas, Texas
Botham Shem Jean (1991-2018) - Black Past
Botham Jean (September 29, 1991-September 6, 2018) - Say Their Names Memorial
Murder of Botham Jean - Wikipedia
Botham Jean - Dangerous Objects
The Killing of Botham Jean: A Reasonable Mistake, Or Murder? - Law & Crime Network, YouTube
Amber Guyger sentenced to 10 years for murdering neighbor Botham Jean - NBC News
Amber Guyger gets 10-year murder sentence for fatally shooting Botham Jean - CNN
Botham Shem Jean - FindAGrave Memorial
Chinedu Okobi
October 3, 2018, Millbrae, California
Chinedu Okobi - Dangerous Objects
(WARNING: The above linked video contains graphic content. Viewer discretion is advised.)
'Privilege doesn't protect you': Facebook exec's brother dead after police encounter - The Guardian
Chinedu Okobi Death: Internal Investigation Clears San Mateo Deputies - CBS News Bay Area
Lawsuit filed in Chinedu Okobi death - San Mateo Daily Journal
Family of Black Man Who Died During Arrest Sues San Mateo County - KQED
Internal investigation clears San Mateo County deputies in Chinedu Okobi's Taser death - Fox2 KTVU
Was Chinedu Okobi Killed For Jaywalking? - Medium
Charles "Chop" Roundtree Jr.
October 17, 2018, San Antonio, Texas
Charles Roundtree Jr. (2000-October 17, 2018) - Say Their Names Memorial
Charles Roundtree Jr. - Dangerous Objects
(WARNING: The above linked video contains graphic content and language some may find offensive. Viewer discretion is advised.)
San Antonio police officer who shot and killed teenager will face civil trial - KENS5
Controversial shooting of teen by San Antonio police cleared for trial - San Antonio Express-News
Charles D. "Chop Chop" Roundtree Jr. - FindAGrave Memorial
Emantic "EJ" Fitzgerald Bradford Jr.
November 22, 2018, Hoover, Alabama
Emantic Fitzgerald Bradford, Jr. (1997-2018) - Black Past
Killing of Emantic Fitzgerald Bradford Jr. - Wikpedia
Police officer who shot black man at Alabama mall won’t face charges - Vox
Police officer justified in fatal mall shooting of 'EJ' Bradford: Alabama AG - ABC News
Emantic "EJ" Fitzgerald Bradford Jr. - FindAGrave Memorial
Sterling Lapree Higgins
March 25, 2019, Union City, Tennessee
Sterling Higgins, Age 37 - Charter Oak Cultural Center #FaceToTheName Project
Sheriff's Office: Man Dies at Hospital After Assaulting Correctional Staff - KFVS12
Sterling Lapree Higgins Obituary, October 27, 1981-March 25, 2019
Attorney for Sterling Higgins' Estate Discusses Lawsuit Against Local Law Enforcement - WPSD6
Estate of Sterling L. Higgins, Plaintiff v. Obion County, Tennessee, et al., Defendants
Ronald Greene
May 10, 2019, Monroe, Louisiana
Ronald Greene, Age 49 - Charter Oak Cultural Center #FaceToTheName Project
Death of Ronald Greene - Wikipedia
Trooper Who Faced Firing in Black Man's Death Dies in Crash - Associated Press
"I'm Scared": AP Obtains Video of Deadly Arrest of Black Man - Associated Press
Footage Shows Louisiana Troopers Punching and Dragging Man Who Died - The New York Times
AP: Top Cop in Black Man's Deadly Arrest Withheld Cam Video - Associated Press
Ronald Greene's Mother Calls for Troopers to Be Charged in His Death - The New York Times
Two State Troopers Fired, One Tied to Deadly Arrest of Ronald Greene - WBRZ2
FBI Orders New Review of Ronald Greene Autopsy - The Hill
New Autopsy Report Rejects Police Theory That Ronald Greene Died From a Car Crash - Ebony
Louisiana's John Bel Edwards Called to Resign After Comments on Ronald Greene's Death - Newsweek
Coroners; Records Missing on Ronald Greene Death - Louisiana Illuminator
Police Boss Journal Cites Early Angst in Ronald Greene Death - Associated Press
Louisiana Prosecutor in Ronald Greene Case Gets Case File From Federal Investigators - CNN
Justice Dept. to Probe La. Police Over Alleged Abuse of Black Suspects - The Washington Post
Ronald Greene - Compilation of Stories from Local10.com
Ronald Hardin Greene - FindAGrave Memorial
Elijah McClain
August 30, 2019, Aurora, Colorado
Elijah McClain (1996-2019) - BlackPast
Elijah McClain, February 25, 1996-August 30, 2019 - Say Their Names Memorial
Death of Elijah McClain - Wikipedia
Police Officers, Paramedics Charged with the Death of Elijah McClain - NBC News
In Colorado, Aurora Police, Medics Indicted for 2019 Death of Elijah McClain - USA Today
Colorado Cops Fired for Images Mocking Elijah McClain's Death - BET
Here's What You Need to Know About Elijah McClain's Death - The New York Times
What We Know About the Killing of Elijah McClain - New York Magazine
Elijah McClain's Police-Custody Death Leads to Five Indictments - Wall Street Journal
Aurora, Colo., Will Pay a $15 Million Settlement Over the Death of Elijah McClain - NPR
Elijah McClain: Five Officials Charged in Black Man's Death - BBC
Police Reforms Spurred by Elijah McClain's Death Advance - The Boston Globe
Elijah McClain Story Compilation - The Colorado Sun
Death of Elijah McClain After Police Arrest Draws New Scrutiny - The Today Show
Judge Finds Sufficient Evidence to Continue Elijah McClain Case - ABC News
Elijah McClain Autopsy Report Amended - 9News
Elijah Jovan McClain - FindAGrave Memorial
Atatiana Koquice Jefferson
October 12, 2019, Fort Worth, Texas
Atatiana Jefferson (1990-2019) - BlackPast
Killing of Atatiana Jefferson - Wikipedia
Atatiana Jefferson - Say Their Names Exhibit, Stanford University Libraries
Atatiana Carr-Jefferson, November 28, 1991-October 12, 2019 - Say Their Names Memorial
Fort Worth Officer Kills Woman in Her Bedroom In Response to "Open Structure Call" - NPR
Fort Worth Police Officer Who Fatally Shot Tatiana Jefferson Indicted on Murder Charge - NBC News
Fort Worth Mural Honors Life of Atatiana Jefferson - KERA News
Trial for Fort Worth Officer Who Shot Atatiana Jefferson Nears - NBCDFW5
Neighbor of Atatiana Jefferson is Struggling While Trial Continues to Be Delayed - SpectrumNews1
New Trial Date Set for Ex-Fort Worth Officer Charged in Atatiana Jefferson's Death - ABC8
Atatiana Koquice Jefferson -FindAGrave Memorial
John Elliott Neville
December 4, 2019, Winston-Salem, North Carolina
John Neville, Age 56 - Charter Oak Cultural Center #FaceToTheName Project
I Can't Breathe: John Elliott Neville - Wikipedia
A New Video Shows Another Black Man in Custody Pleading 'I Can't Breathe,' Before His Death - CNN
Journal Coverage: The Jail-Related Death of John Neville - Winston-Salem Journal
John Neville, Jr. - FindAGrave Memorial
William Howard Green
January 27, 2020, Temple Hills, Maryland
William Howard Green, Age 43 - Charter Oak Cultural Center Facebook Page
Maryland Police Office Charged with Murder in Shooting of Handcuffed Man - KIRO 7
Remembering and Representing William Howard Green - Murphy, Falcon & Murphy
Settlement Reached in Death of Man Shot By Maryland Cop While Handcuffed in Patrol Car - USA Today
$20 Million Settlement Reached in Handcuffed Man's Fatal Shooting - NBCWashington
William Howard Green - FindAGrave Memorial
Manuel "Mannie" Elijah Ellis
March 3, 2020, Tacoma, Washington
Manuel Ellis, 1986-2020 - Charter Oak Cultural Center #FaceToTheName Project
Breonna Taylor
March 13, 2020, Louisville, Kentucky
Breonna Taylor, 1993-2020 - Charter Oak Cultural Center #FaceToTheName Project
Daniel T. Prude
March 30, 2020, Rochester, New York
Michael Brent Charles Ramos
April 24, 2020, Austin, Texas
Dreasjon "Sean" Reed
May 6, 2020, Indianapolis, Indiana
George Perry Floyd Jr.
May 25, 2020, Minneapolis, Minnesota
George Floyd - Charter Oak Cultural Center #FaceToTheName Project
Released George Floyd body cam footage from former officers Thomas Lane and J. Alexander Keung
(WARNING: The above linked video contains graphic content and language some may find offensive. Viewer discretion is advised.)
Nine Minutes in May: How George Floyd's Death Shook the World - BlackPast
Murder of George Floyd - Wikipedia
List of Police Reforms Related to the George Floyd Protests - Wikipedia
See also links to stories about George Floyd on the Additional Resources page.
Tony McDade
May 27, 2020, Tallahassee, Florida
David McAtee
June 1, 2020, Louisville, Kentucky
David McAtee, 1967-2020 - Charter Oak Cultural Center #FaceToTheName Project
Carlos Carson
June 6, 2020, Tulsa, Oklahoma
Rayshard Brooks
June 12, 2020, Atlanta, Georgia
Rayshard Brooks, 1993-2020 - Charter Oak Cultural Center #FaceToTheName Project
Dijon Durand Kizzee
August 31, 2020, Los Angeles, California
Dijon Kizzee, Age 29 - Charter Oak Cultural Center #FaceToTheName Project
Jonathan Dwayne Price
October 3, 2020, Wolfe City, Texas
Marcellis Stinnette
October 20, 2020, Waukegan, Illinois
Sincere Pierce
November 13, 2020, Cocoa, Florida
Angelo "AJ" Crooms
November 13, 2020, Cocoa, Florida
Casey Christopher Goodson Jr.
December 4, 2020, Columbus, Ohio
Andre Maurice Hill
December 22, 2020, Columbus, Ohio
Andre Hill - Charter Oak Cultural Center #FaceToTheName Project
Angelo Quinto
December 23, 2020, Antioch, California
Vincent "Vinny" M. Belmonte
January 5, 2021, Cleveland, Ohio
Patrick Lynn Warren Sr.
January 10, 2021, Killeen, Texas
Marvin David Scott III
March 14, 2021, McKinney, Texas
Daunte Demetrius Wright
April 11, 2021, Brooklyn Center, Minnesota
Lists of people killed by law enforcement in the United States from Wikipedia
Analogous Colors by Titus Kaphar
About the cover of Time magazine, June 15, 2020
To view a larger version of the cover, click on the image and then open the PDF Full Text link.