Lafayette police shooting: Mayor says ‘I recognize the pain’ the killing of Black man caused – Daily Advertiser

Marja Broussard, president of the Lafayette chapter of the NAACP, calls Mayor-President Josh Guillory racist, calls for him to step down. Lafayette Daily Advertiser

After days of pressure from Black community leaders, LafayetteMayor-President Josh Guillory apologized Monday for his initial response to the police killing of a Black manwalking away from officers.

As nearly two dozen protesters staged a sit-in outside a locked City Hall hoping to deliver a letter complaining about the mayor and asking for his resignation, Guillory met with a group of ministers and elected Black leaders.

That Monday meeting delayed a scheduled news conference by nearly two hours, and resulted in Guillory speaking for the first time since 31-year-old Trayford Pellerin was shot and killed by officers Friday about the pain of Pellerin's family and in the African American community.

Mayor President Josh Guillory holds joint press conference with Chief of Police Scott Morgan, Sheriff Mark Garber, Fire Chief Robert Benoit, and Parish Councilman Abraham Rubin. Saturday, Aug. 22, 2020.(Photo: SCOTT CLAUSE/USA TODAY Network)

I did offer an apology for things that could have been handleddifferently perhaps, we dont know. Well have facts that will come out that will give clarification, but I recognize the pain that members of their congregations are going through, Guillory said.

The mayor's comments Monday contrasted sharply withhis defense days earlier of the police killing of Pellerin, described by Guillory as "threatening" and carrying a knife before officers fired at least 11 bullets at him outside a gas station entrance. When Guillory issued that statement in defense of the shooting, he did not mention the family but praised officers.

Lafayette Mayor-President Josh Guillory: Black man killed by officers was 'threatening'

We can recognize this pain," Guillory said Monday after his meeting with Black leaders. "We can grieve for the family and still support law enforcement, and we are.

The Lafayette police killing of Pellerin promptedtwo nights of protests across the city, and Monday's protest outside City Hall.

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Police were responding to a routine disturbance call Friday when they attempted to arrest Pellerin at a gas station on North Evangeline Thruway. He walked away from them, and they followed him on foot for almost half a mile to another gas station. Officers even tasered Pellerin, who continued to walk away.

As a group of roughly six Lafayette police officers came up behind him, Pellerin reached for the station's door and officer's fired a blast of bullets. Officers said he had a knife.

"The officers opened fire when it became apparent the armed individual was attempting to enter a convenience store, threatening the lives of the customers and workers inside," Guillory said in a written statement issued almost 24 hours after the killing occured.

More: Lafayette police fire 11 rounds, kill Black man after tasing him in disturbance call

"Our thoughts and prayers are with our community tonight, and with the men and women in uniform who put their lives on the line every day to keep us safe," he said then.

Guillory's tone after his Monday with Black ministers was more conciliatory.

Immediately when I heard about this situation I began praying. Praying for his soul and for his family, Guillory said. But I recognize that I could have recognized that earlier. Its a fair point.

He recognized the Pellerin family's loss.

Lafayette police shooting: Second second night of protests, demonstrations across city

As a member of this community, I stand before you grieving the fact that we have a family in pain. We have an individual that was a son, that had a family, had friends. And we dont take that lightly,he said.

On Sunday during the second night of protests in Lafayette, Black community leaders called for Guillory to resign. They said he did not act in the interest of the African American community and ignored the pain caused by Pellerin's death.

Marja Broussard, the local NAACP president, said community members must make it known to others outside the area that Lafayette continues to struggle with racial inequality, in part because of Guillory.

More: Peaceful vigil for Lafayette police shooting victim becomes clash between marchers, police

"They need to know this is not a wonderful city when a mayor-president as him is a racist mayor-president," she told protesters Sunday. "Yes Marja Broussard said it. Josh guillory is a white racist. We know that."

Guillory met Monday with members of the Senior Pastoral Alliance, a local congregation of Black religious leaders, about his initial comments and response to protests over Pellerins death.

Were here to get information because we want structure and accountability so well be able to report to our congregations and the people of our community exactly whats going on in our city, said Pastor Ricky Carter of Good Hope Baptist Church on Willow Street.

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Jamal Taylor, a Lafayette activist, questions Mayor-President Josh Guillory's response to a police shooting that killed a Black man, Trayford Pellerin Lafayette Daily Advertiser

Guillory said he recognizes the rights of marchers and protesters who want to speak out against Pellerin's killing, protests that continued into the third day Monday.

We do have a majority of individuals that are protesting who are local and peaceful. Its our understanding that many of the individuals that are possibly agitating are not from here, he said, although neither Guillory or other local officials have offered evidence of protesters causing problems from outside the area.

He said he respects free speech, but will protect the city.

I have a duty to protect life and property and I will do so, he said.

Guillory acknowledged calls for his resignation, and said, Im not resigning.

Guillorys spokesman Jamie Angelle said he was not concerned about a push to obtain a recall petition for the mayor-president, which would require more than 31,000 signatures from Lafayette Parish voters.

Fire Chief Robert Benoit, who did publicly offer condolences for the Pellerin family over the weekend,warned people planning to protest the police shootingto exercise caution as the weather worsens. Tropical Storm Marco is expected to bring bad weather to the area Tuesday, and Tropical Storm Laura is expected to intensify into a hurricane before making landfall Thursday, perhaps in south Louisiana.

We have a lot of protesting going on. We dont want to stop you from moving around, but this storm is dangerous, Benoit said. This storm will take you out, so thats something to consider while youre doing your freedom of speech to protest.

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Lafayette police shooting: Mayor says 'I recognize the pain' the killing of Black man caused - Daily Advertiser