Friends of 18-year-old Ebin Lamont Proctor have been taking to the streets of Cottonwood carrying signs and protesting against what they say is police brutality.
The public displays by Proctor’s friends led to another group leading a counter-protest last week, coming out with signs in support of law enforcement.
Proctor, whose nickname was Kumar, was shot and killed by Yavapai County Sheriff’s Office deputy Steven Gorman after a traffic stop in the Verde Villages a little after 4 a.m. May 30.
Proctor was shot after giving deputies a false name, fleeing into a yard on Yuma Circle and allegedly fighting with Gorman, according to the YCSO.
Proctor had a warrant out for his arrest for a probation violation. He had pleaded guilty to assaulting a Chino Valley police officer in 2014.
Gorman, 26, had reportedly attempted to use a Taser and pepper spray on Proctor during the struggle, according to the YCSO.
On June 16, Proctor’s friends gathered again near Mingus Avenue and Main Street. This time, it wasn’t a protest of anything, participants said.
“This is just a march to remember Kumar,” said Eli Miller, 18.
Cars occasionally pass through the streets of Cottonwood with “Justice for Kumar” painted on the windows.
The signs carried by the participants have added a Twitter hashtag to the phrase so supporters can promote awareness of their protest activities through social media. A page has also been set up on Facebook to raise funds for the family.
To read the full story, see the Wednesday, June 24, edition of the Cottonwood Journal Extra.
