The Oakland County Sheriff’s Office in Michigan is facing scrutiny for its refusal to release details surrounding the fatal shooting of Tony Cox, a 33-year-old unarmed Black man. 

Cox was shot nine times in the back as he fled from a traffic stop, Oakland Press reports. Despite the incident being captured on body and dash camera footage, the sheriff’s office has withheld this evidence from the public.  

According to a federal lawsuit filed by Cox’s mother, Tammy Cox, deputies initiated the traffic stop under the pretext that the four-door sedan Cox was driving had been involved in a “shots fired incident” a week prior. 

However, the lawsuit contends that there is no public record confirming such an incident involving a similar vehicle during that timeframe, suggesting potential racial profiling.  

The lawsuit also alleges that after shooting Cox, deputies kicked his lifeless body while issuing commands for him to “Get up!” Despite multiple investigations, including one conducted by an external sheriff’s office, authorities have found no wrongdoing on the part of the deputies involved. 

Nevertheless, the Oakland County Sheriff’s Office has declined to release the body and dash camera footage, further fueling public outcry.  

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