Supporters of a Boston police officer, Nicholas O’Malley, who is facing a voluntary manslaughter charge in the shooting of a suspect, have raised over $400,000 through an online campaign. As of Monday afternoon, the fundraising effort had accumulated $414,000. O’Malley is accused of fatally shooting 39-year-old Stephenson King on March 11, allegedly without adequate self-defense or the defense of others.
The GoFundMe page, which seems to have been initiated by another police officer, states that “The O’Malley family is facing an incredibly difficult time due to unforeseen circumstances, and they need our support now more than ever.” It also highlights that the family has two young children, raising their financial concerns.
Details about the incident reveal that a woman claimed she was in the passenger seat of a moving car driven by King when he assaulted her, then stole the vehicle. When police responded to the stolen car, Officer O’Malley, 33, and another officer confronted King, who partially opened his window but didn’t comply. O’Malley reportedly warned King before he attempted to flee, after which O’Malley fired three shots into the driver’s side window, resulting in King’s death.
Some city council members in Boston have cautioned against jumping to conclusions too quickly. “When an officer takes a moment of decisive action during a violent encounter with a known violent criminal,” remarked City Councilor John Fitzgerald, “we cannot jump to the conclusion that this was done with malice.” Councilor Erin Murphy has also urged for the release of body camera footage from the encounter, considering King’s criminal background.
Murphy added, “None of us were there at that moment, and none of us had to make the split-second decisions that come with such a dangerous and rapidly changing situation.” The ongoing discussions and differing opinions highlight the complexities involved in this case.
