FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE<\/p>\n
CONTACT:
Kristia Winter, Communications Director
KWinter@council.nyc.gov, 718-629-2900 <\/p>\n
BROOKLYN, NY \u2014 Council Member Farah N. Louis (D-Brooklyn), co-chair of the Women’s Caucus<\/strong>, issued the following statement after the suspect in the murder of 32-year-old Jamel Copeland in Flatbush was apprehended by the NYPD\u2019s Regional Fugitive Task Force in Virginia. The alleged perpetrator was his former girlfriend and the mother of his child. She was charged with murder and criminal possession of a weapon.<\/p>\n STATEMENT BY COUNCIL MEMBER LOUIS<\/strong><\/p>\n “Jamel Copeland’s death, allegedly at the hands of a former female acquaintance, is a double tragedy – a parent lost his child, and a child lost his father. His namesake and three-year-old son, Jamel Jr., has to experience childhood without his father to celebrate every birthday, first day of school, or graduation.<\/p>\n “In the aftermath of the increased incidence of domestic and gun violence are distraught families. Although victims of domestic or intimate partner violence are overwhelmingly women, men also face bodily harm. Regardless of the perpetrator\u2019s gender, there must be consequences. Domestic incidents occur often throughout our community, yet are underreported.<\/p>\n \u201cThe perpetual cycle of violence has shattered lives \u2013 inflicting physical, emotional, and psychological harm that can span one\u2019s lifetime and across generations. The reality is that we are facing an uphill battle, but our community cannot become desensitized to the loss of human life. We will not lose this fight because our children depend on us to take the necessary steps to ensure their safety and well-being.<\/p>\n \u201cThroughout October, recognized nationally as Domestic Violence Awareness Month, we must galvanize our community into action. It is crucial that we learn how to recognize the signs of domestic abuse, get help, and support survivors of domestic violence year-round.\u201d<\/p>\n New York City Council Member Farah N. Louis represents the 45th Council District, which comprises Flatbush, East Flatbush, Midwood, Marine Park, Flatlands, & Kensington in Brooklyn, NY. She is a member of the committees on Civil Service and Labor; Economic Development; Education; Finance; Housing and Buildings; Youth Services; and Justice System. Council Member Louis is the Co-Chair of the Women\u2019s Caucus and Vice Co-Chair of the Black, Latino\/a, and Asian Caucus.<\/em><\/p>\n ###<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE<\/p>\n CONTACT: BROOKLYN, NY \u2014 Council Member Farah N. Louis (D-Brooklyn), co-chair of the Women’s Caucus<\/strong>, issued the following statement after the suspect in the murder of 32-year-old Jamel Copeland in Flatbush was apprehended by the NYPD\u2019s Regional Fugitive Task Force in Virginia.<\/p>\n …<\/p>\n
Kristia Winter, Communications Director
KWinter@council.nyc.gov, 718-629-2900 <\/p>\n