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Buttigieg Joins South Bend Civil Rights Leaders In Aftermath Of Eric Logan's Killing

Justin Hicks

Mayor Pete Buttigieg attended a press conference with community leaders Wednesday afternoon at the Civil Rights Heritage Center in South Bend. 

Surrounded by civil rights leaders in the city, Buttigieg said he will not rule out an independent investigation into the death of Eric Logan. 

Logan died Sunday when he was shot by a South Bend officer who claims Logan had a knife. 

During the press conference, a spokesman for the Logan family asked Buttigieg why he hasn't talked to Logan's family more. Buttigieg responded saying he tried to talk to Logan's daughter but he says she indicated her lawyer advised her not to talk to him. 

"The bottom line is that as we look at what happened, we aim for justice and transparency. I believe in this city. I love this city," Buttigieg said. 

Although no specifics were shared, talk at the news conference ranged from continuing diversity efforts at SBPD, a more robust policy for the use of body cameras and more efforts toward community engagement and policing.

“In order for us to move forward, we as a community are going to have to act,
not just talk and that means confronting head on some of the dynamics that
make this so sensitive,” Buttigieg said.

Buttigieg says facing racism in the community will be difficult but crucial.

Michael Patton, president of the South Bend NAACP, says addressing that is key.

He says it is time to begin the healing process. 

“We must begin to address the concerns and challenges that we have in our
community,” Patton said.

Some in South Bend have called for the Department of Justice to do an
investigation into the shooting and the police department. Buttigieg says he would
be open to that.

Credit Justin Hicks/WVPE
Michael Patton, President of the South Bend NAACP Branch

Buttigieg's campaign has announced that this weekend, he will head to South Carolina for a series of events. On Friday, he will meet with local leaders in Florence. On Saturday, he will attend the South Carolina Democratic Party Convention and the Planned Parenthood Forum, and host a town hall in North Augusta. After Saturday night’s town hall Buttigieg will return to South Bend.