Herve Gilles

How they died

Deadly force

A 3 a.m. violent physical struggle between a local officer and Gilles, triggered by the victim's refusal from a Mexican food restaurant, ended with Gilles fatally shot once in the neck and once in the head. He'd just shouted unintelligible threats at the security guard and, during the struggle, had wrestled away the officer's nightstick and was beating him with it. The Haitian immigrant Gilles had a record of 33 arrests, many for violent acts, and serious mental health issues.

Why we remember them

This record exists so that Herve Gilles, and all who are named in this archive, are never reduced to a number.

References & sources