The lawyer for the family of Darrien Hunt, the 22-year-old man allegedly shot and killed by police officers in Saratoga Springs, Utah last week, said that the family believes Hunt was cosplaying an anime character when he was shot. In particular, the family’s attorney Randall Edwards said that they believe Hunt was dressed as the character Mugen from the anime Samurai Champloo, with a Japanese-style katana sword on his back.
On September 10, two officers confronted Hunt while he was carrying the sword near a credit union in Saratoga Springs. After one shot was fired near the credit union, Hunt was shot and killed about 200 yards away near a Panda Express restaurant.
Police said Hunt brandished the unsheathed sword and lunged at the officers. Edwards said that an independent autopsy reported that Hunt was shot six times in the back.
During the Friday press conference, Edwards showed a printout of a Twitter post by Jamelle Bouie:
https://twitter.com/jbouie/status/511559826703650817
Edwards also displayed a drawing of an armored character by Hunt, and handed out a Samurai Champloo image to identify Mugen. ABC4 showed another photograph, taken by witness Jocelyn Hansen, which indicates that Hunt was wearing a red collared shirt on the day of the shooting:
Hunt’s mother, Susan Hunt, had said last week, “They killed my son because he’s black. No white boy with a little sword would they shoot while he’s running away.” Edwards said he plans to request an investigation by the U.S. Department of Justice and the FBI into the Saratoga Springs police and the shooting.
Saratoga Springs Police Chief Andy Burton denied charges of racial profiling, and said that he welcomes any external investigation. On Friday, the department identified the two officers in shooting as Corporal Matt Schauerhamer and officer Nicholas Judson. Both are now on paid administrative leave while the Utah County Officer-Involved Shooting Protocol Team investigates the shooting.
Sources: KSL (link 2), Daily Dot, The Guardian
More from Anime News Network
Cosplaying Utah man was shot 5 times from behind by police
Japan’s Ninja Bear shot and killed in Hokkaido, eaten as yakiniku in Tokyo, to become stew next
High-ranking yakuza member shot on the street near his home in Yamaguchi Prefecture
Knife-wielding man asks Osaka police officer to shoot him, officer complies
Japanese trains in Sapporo might be better than those in Tokyo, thanks to one special feature
Lawson convenience store at popular tourist site is one of the most unusual in Japan
This beautiful Nara inn was once home to a Living National Treasure
Studio Ghibli releases new action figures featuring Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind characters
Japan now has a special desk for people who work at home with a pet cat[Photos]
If Fast and Furious was about 1970s Japanese truckers, this dekotora would be the star【Photos】
Visiting Ramen River, a Japanese restaurant that’s only open two hours a day
Vacation with Oshawott in this Pokémon collaboration hotel room in Mie Prefecture
Are Japanese rice cookers really better than Chinese ones? We test it out and get some surprises
Enormous BETA right before your eyes?! Muv-Luv VR demo event report
Japan reportedly adding Japanese language skill requirement to most common foreigner work visa
Mt. Fuji decorated with a 500,000-flower pink carpet is Japan’s ultimate spring view
Pokémon and Ikea Japan cross over into each other’s worlds with collaboration events
Starbucks Japan closing only Shinkansen platform branch for popularity-triggered renovations
You can assemble a well-balanced team of Pokémon, them eat them, thanks to Japanese cake chain
30 Pikachus want to share a Tokyo hotel room with you that has separate Grass, Water, Fire spaces
Man bites woman at cherry blossom park in Japan, dies shortly after
7-Eleven Japan’s new baked-in-store sweet treat is only available in three parts of the country
Peanuts and Coke becomes a viral hit in Japan, but is it a trend worth joining?
Famous Tokyo cherry blossom spot installs view-blocking screens to fight overcrowding[Video]
Uniqlo announces new T-shirts for One Piece, Naruto and more for manga publisher’s 100th birthday
Train station platform ramen store closes its doors on half a century of history in Tokyo
Starbucks Japan releases new My Fruit³ Frappuccino at only 34 stores around the country
Krispy Kreme releases Super Mario doughnuts in Japan for a limited time
Japanese onsen egg maker from 100-yen store Daiso needs to be on your shopping list
Survey asks foreign tourists what bothered them in Japan, more than half gave same answer
Japan’s human washing machines will go on sale to general public, demos to be held in Tokyo
Starbucks Japan releases new drinkware and goods for Valentine’s Day
We deeply regret going into this tunnel on our walk in the mountains of Japan
Starbucks Japan releases new sakura goods and drinkware for cherry blossom season 2026
Studio Ghibli releases Kodama forest spirits from Princess Mononoke to light up your home
Japan’s newest Shinkansen has no seats…or passengers [Video]
Major Japanese hotel chain says reservations via overseas booking sites may not be valid
Put sesame oil in your coffee? Japanese maker says it’s the best way to start your day【Taste test】
No more using real katana for tourism activities, Japan’s National Police Agency says