Twenty-one years ago, my 13-year-old son Nicholas Naquan Heyward Jr. was shot and killed while playing in the stairwell of our home by a rookie New York City housing police officer. The Brooklyn DA’s Office intentionally botched and covered-up the case, and the police officer was never charged.

Today, we’ve reached an unprecedented stage in our 21 year-long battle for justice. With the support and pressure of the community, Nicholas Jr.’s case has gained the attention of the Brooklyn DA’s Office, now under new leadership. I am currently holding meetings with the DA’s Office, asking them to re-investigate the murder of my son, to investigate the former DA’s mishandling of the case, and on the basis of the case evidence, hold the police officer, Brian George, the NYPD, and the DA’s Office accountable. I do this not only for my son and our family. Our fight for justice for Nicholas Jr. is also a fight to prevent future needless deaths by police acting under the promise of impunity.

I also ask YOU to join the call for Justice for Nicholas Naquan Heyward Jr. Please sign and share this petition. And stay tuned for updates on the campaign for Justice for Nicholas Naquan Heyward Jr.

Signed, Nicholas Heyward Sr.

On September 27, 1994, 13-year old Nicholas Heyward Jr was playing a game of cops and robbers with his friends at 423 Baltic Street, where he lived with his family. It was in the middle of this game that Nicholas Jr was shot and killed by housing police officer Brian George. Former Brooklyn DA Charles Hynes chose not to bring the case before a grand jury, claiming that the toy gun in Nicholas Jr’s hands looked too realistic and that George shot the boy within a split second.

After 21 arduous years, throughout which Nicholas Jr’s father Nicholas Heyward Sr relentlessly demanded justice for the stolen life of his son and the lives of hundreds of others in New York City killed by police, Brooklyn DA Thompson’s office has told Nicholas Sr that they will investigate what former DA Charles Hynes never did. This is unprecedented, and could not have happened without persistent pressure from the people and the steadfast families of Stolen Lives united in their struggle for justice.

Demands for Justice for Nicholas Naquan Heyward, Jr:

1. A complete investigation into the murder of Nicholas Naquan Heyward Jr.

2. A full investigation into the handling of Nicholas Jr.'s case by ex-DA Charles Hynes

3. A public acknowledgement that Nicholas Jr. was playing with a visibly fake toy gun when Officer Brian George shot him