Live Oak —
Several family members and friends of the 25-year-old that was fatally shot by a Florida Highway Patrol trooper on Aug. 26 held a protest Tuesday in front of the Suwannee County Courthouse.
“We’re here trying to raise awareness of the shooting of Brent Blevins,” said Daniel Shannon.
Several of the protestors held signs that said “Brent Blevins was murdered by FHP Derek MacLaren.”
MacLaren, 33, is the trooper that FHP said fatally shot Blevins.
Those attending the protest were visibly upset and just wanted answers as to what exactly happened to their son, brother, cousin and friend that caused him to be shot four to five times.
The Florida Department of Law Enforcement is investigating the shooting and is not releasing many details. However, it has been learned that the FHP was involved in a vehicle chase with Blevins on US 90 East on Sunday, Aug. 26 around 2:05 p.m. Once the vehicle was stopped, Blevins then allegedly exited the vehicle holding a hand gun.
It has not yet been reported by officials if Blevins pointed or fired the gun at MacLaren. Blevins later died from his wounds en route to a Gainesville hospital, SCFR reported.
“I would like to know how you justify shooting that many times,” Blevins' sister, Ashley Shelton asked. “All I know that he was my only brother, my only sibling.”
Cynthia Meredith, Blevins' mother, said that her son worked at Happy House, a childcare facility in Lake City and called Blevins “a loving person.”
“My son wouldn’t hurt a flea and would give you the shirt off his back,” said Meredith. “He loved his children and had plans to go back to get his master’s degree.”
Lisa Lanier, Blevins' cousin, said it was Blevins' goal to open and run his own childcare facility for “a safe place for children that were in crisis situations.” She added, “He’s the only male in the daycare he worked at.”
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Cynthia Meredith, mother of Brent Blevins.
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Family and friends of Brent Blevins.
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Ashley Shelton, sister of Brent Blevins.
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Eddie Hendershot, uncle of Brent Blevins.
Discussion
September 4, 2012
Family, friends hold protest over shooting of Brent Blevins
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