An independent investigation into the March 2 UPD shooting of a UF graduate student at Corry Village is underway, said University of Florida President Bernie Machen in a Friday e-mail to UF students, faculty and staff.
Margolis, Healy & Associates, a public safety organization specializing in school security, is working with the Florida Department of Law Enforcement to collect data and interview witnesses to resolve concerns related to the shooting of Kofi Adu-Brempong, he said.
Adu-Brempong, the 35-year-old Ghanan graduate student who currently faces charges of resisting arrest and aggravated assault, was shot in the face by UPD officer Keith Smith after a two-hour standoff on March 2.
Although he was initially placed in critical condition after suffering hand and jaw injuries, he is now able to communicate with hand gestures and facial expressions, said Larry Turner, Adu-Brempong's lawyer.
Machen said students who have information regarding the incident are encouraged to contact the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, and anyone who helps the investigation will be offered legal protection and immunity.
"We were advised by several people that some students were afraid to speak," he said. "We certainly don't want them to worry and not come forward."
Student feedback to the UF administration about the incident has been surprisingly low, he said.
Friday's email needed to be sent before the end of spring break so that students returning from vacation would be aware of how the administration is handling the situation, Machen said.
"Due to the unprecedented nature of this incident, I believe, and [UPD] Chief Linda Stump agrees, we must go to extra lengths to fully analyze every aspect of this case," he said in a telephone interview.
Though the results of investigation could produce some policy changes, UF is unlikely to restrict gun use by UPD officers, Machen said.
Machen, who advocated student firearm restrictions during his presidential tenure at the University of Utah and during his time at UF, said UPD needs guns to maintain order.
"I don't support applying a [gun] ban to police officers," he said.
Turner, Adu-Brempong's lawyer, said two sheriff's deputies continually guard him while he recovers at Shands at UF.
Bond is being held at $10,000, but it will not be posted, Turner said.
As long as Adu-Brempong is under the custody of the Alachua County Department of Jail, his medical expenses are covered by the state and not his own insurance, he said.
"If the government shot him, they should pay to fix him," Turner said.
Correction 10/17/2010: The Alligator orginally cited President Machen as saying that Margolis, Healy & Associates is a Florida Department of Law Enforcement and public safety organization that is collecting data and interviewing witnesses to resolve any concerns related to the shooting of Kofi Adu-Brempong. Margolis, Healy & Associates is not affiliated with the Florida Department of Law Enforcement. It is a public safety organization specializing in school security and is working with the Florida Department of Law Enforcement to collect data and interview witnesses to resolve concerns related to the shooting of Kofi Adu-Brempong.
