Tyler Perry said that he’s outraged at the shooting death of Secoriea Turner, an 8-year-old girl who was shot and killed on the night of Saturday, July 4 in Atlanta, Georgia. Perry said he’ll now help Turner’s family just like he’s done for others after they’ve suffered a tragedy.
The media mogul confirmed to People magazine that he’ll pay for Secoriea’s funeral. She was shot across the street from the Wendy’s where Rayshard Brooks was killed by an Atlanta police officer in June.
“Who said that outrage has to choose a side?” Perry told People in an interview that was published earlier this week. “When so many Black people like George Floyd and Rayshard Brooks were killed I was outraged and did what I could to help their families.”
Perry also spoke about assisting Matt Cooper, a Georgia police officer from the Covington Police Department, who was shot in the head while responding to a shoplifting call at a Walmart in 2018. It was announced in May that Cooper was back on the job.
“When a white police officer was shot in the head trying to stop a shoplifter in a suburb outside of Atlanta I was outraged and I did what I could to help him and his family,” Tyler explained. “And when we are killing each other, including our innocent children, I am outraged. It doesn’t matter what color wrong comes in, wrong is wrong.”
Secoriea was in her mother’s Jeep Cherokee when it was stopped by armed individuals who set up a roadblock. The driver ran into them when trying to turn around in a University Avenue parking lot.
The SUV was shot at least eight times, according to police. Turner was then raced to Atlanta Medical Center, where she succumbed to her injuries.
Atlanta police Lt. Pete Malecki said at a recent press conference that at least four individuals were involved, and they intentionally fired into the SUV after it crossed their roadblock.
Investigators released surveillance footage on Tuesday, July 7 that shows a man walking in the area with an AR-15 rifle; they’re now looking to speak with that individual.
“I’m outraged today because I’d rather be paying for 8-year-old Secoriea Turner’s college than her funeral. When does this end?” said Perry in his People interview.
Many others have expressed outrage over the shooting, including Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms, who held a news conference on Sunday, July 5.
“Enough is enough,” said Bottoms. “An 8-year-old girl was killed last night because her mother was riding down the street. If Secoriea was not safe last night, none of us are safe.”
One day after Bottoms’ news conference, where she also spoke about armed protesters being at the Wendy’s where Brooks was killed, a lady who said she’s a leader of the protesters denied any involvement in Turner’s shooting
Brooks, a 27-year-old Black man, was shot by Garrett White, a white Atlanta police officer, on June 12 during an arrest attempt.
Rolfe has already been terminated and hit with a slew of charges that include felony murder, aggravated assault and criminal damage to property. He shot Brooks after Brooks grabbed his stun gun and pointed it in his direction.
The other officer on the scene, Devin Brosnan, was charged with aggravated assault and two violations of oath of office.
