Khalil Azad’s body was found back in July alongside the shoreline of Crystal Lake in Robbinsdale Minnesota, however, his story has just recently been brought to light as his family is seeking answers for his brutal death.
Fox 9 reports that Azad’s death was ruled as a freshwater drowning by the Hennepin County Medical Examiner in September, however, shocking images shared on social media show a different story and Azad’s family insists that he was bitten by police dogs and allegedly beaten to death by the officers who were meant to protect and serve.
Over 200 Metro students protested and left class to push officials to release bodycam footage in relation to Azad’s death. Robbinsdale police claim Azad fled from officers on July 3, 2022, on suspicion of DUI. However, they claim that they did not have any contact with him. Days later a bystander found his body in the water battered and disfigured.
Ayisha Johnson (sister of Khalil Azad): “[Khalil] always had a beautiful smile… we know after looking at those pictures that something needs to be done.” pic.twitter.com/xNSlRojk5z
— Brett Favre’s EBT Card (@joshcobbler_) March 6, 2023
Robbinsdale Police Chief Patrick Foley has asked the state Bureau of Criminal Apprehension to conduct its own independent investigation following the outrage into Azad’s death. The Police Department is expected to release body camera footage from its officers this week as well.
TRIGGER WARNING: graphic image. This should make EVERYONE angry. #SayHisName #KhalilAzad pic.twitter.com/X17JyvrcyM
— 444🪬 (@Calllleighhhh) March 3, 2023
Khalil’s mother, Fatomeh Azad, spoke to the protesters at U.S. Bank Stadium,
“I just want justice, and I want answers,” she said.
His sister Ayisha Johnson also spoke out in remembrance of he brother, who leaves behind a young child.
“Me and Khalil were very close at a young age and we were basically best friends. He basically had a beautiful smile,” she said. “We all know looking at those (autopsy) pictures that there’s something that needs to be done.”
Modern-Day Emmett Till
Shocking images shared on social media show Azad’s body completely unrecognizable, while many compared his death to that of Emmett Till.
⚠️ Khalil Azad was pulled over by cops 7/2/22. 3 days later cops said he was ‘found’ dead in Crystal Lake. His death was ruled an accident. Newly released photos show Khalil’s face beaten & disfigured like Emmitt Till’s.
⚠️ Link below Graphic images Khalil’s face & body ⚠️ https://t.co/Hu4tPOFWzB
— Civil Seed (@CivilSeedTuc) March 7, 2023
As of now, the department has not given an exact date eon when they plan to release the footage leading up to Azad’s death.