Letter to the Editor: DJ Henry Story Should Not Go Away

I keep checking your web site to learn if there is any news on the shooting of DJ Henry that would help explain the actions of the police that night. This story should not go away. Unfortunately what happened to DJ could have happened to anyone who was there that night. There are so many unanswered questions. Nothing can bring DJ back. The police (A. Hess) need to be held accountable or cleared. If the district attorney has proof to support the police version it should be released - I keep hearing word transparency but I have yet to see it in action.

1. This was not a movie. How could the officer been holding onto the car and manage to draw his gun and fire? It is more likely he had his gun out before jumping on the car. If this is the case, why was he carrying a weapon in his hand? This was not a shootout or some robbery, this was a altercation at a bar. I have not seen any reports that state anyone was seen with a weapon. Are the police officers in your town trained to approach every situation with guns drawn?
2. If the police responded as quickly as they claim to DJ, why was the blonde lady administering help? What were the paramedics doing while she was helping?
3. Watch the YouTube video, why were the police keeping people from helping DJ after he was shot? Why were people arrested for trying to help? Funny how the charges were dropped.
4. Doesn’t it strike you as odd that the toxicology report was leaked, but no videos that could help support the police version have been released? I believe, If there had anything to support their case they would have released it by now.
5. Why are there no videos from the dashboard cameras?
6. WHY WAS HE SHOT, HE COULD HAVE BEEN PICKED UP LATER - WHAT DID HE DO TO DESERVE THIS? Why did A. Hess put himself in a position to be possibly injured?

DJ should be in school playing football, eating pizza preparing himself for life. I did not know him, from all accounts he was a good kid who would make any parent proud. Hopefully some good can come out of this, the police and  the administrators of your town should closely review the "rules of engagement" the police follow to make sure  this doesn't happen again. The police have a difficult and often thankless job, however this does not mean they shouldn't be held unaccountable for their actions. Please help us understand what happened.

Richard Heck

South Hamilton, MA