logo

Black Man Held at Gunpoint by Colorado Officers While Picking up Trash in His Yard Speaks Out

Oyin Balogun
Apr 09, 2019
04:21 A.M.

A black Colorado man who was seen bullied by some police officers in a viral video shared his side of the story with "Good Morning America." Having a group of white police officers hold him at gunpoint definitely scarred the poor man.

Advertisement

Zayd Atkinson, 26 was holding a stick and a metal trashcan in front of his white-dominated residence in Boulder as he tried to pick up trash when a police officer confronted him and asked if he was permitted to be there.

Zayd Atkinson, Black man held at gunpoint by Colorado officers while picking up trash in his yard. | Photo: YouTube/ ABC News.

Zayd Atkinson, Black man held at gunpoint by Colorado officers while picking up trash in his yard. | Photo: YouTube/ ABC News.

ATKINSON'S SIDE OF THE STORY

The young man who was still shaken by the experience during an interview with "Good MorningAmerica" said,

"I thought that once the firearm was out that meant that he was going to try to kill me. It was a frightening experience. I didn't know what else to do besides, you know, to fight with my voice and to practice my rights, which were thoroughly being breached."

Zayd went on to say that he believed the officer approached him because of his color and because the neighborhood is filled with white people. The 26-year-old also mentioned that his appearance that day might have also made it easier for the police to "profile" him.

Advertisement
Zayd Atkinson being held at gunpoint by Colorado officers. | Photo: YouTube/ ABC News.

Zayd Atkinson being held at gunpoint by Colorado officers. | Photo: YouTube/ ABC News.

"Not only that you know I'm a black man, I have dreads. At the time I had a beard, and I was wearing raggedy clothes. I was suffering from a lot of anxiety, a lot of depression. I was having very strangedreams and couldn't really sleep," Atkinson said.

Zayd and his lawyer, Siddhartha Rathod, spoke to "Good Morning America" on April 4, 2019. Rathod told the news outlet that,

"This is an all-white community that has historically treated minority communities differently. It has historically had problems with minority communities. There is a problem with law enforcement's interaction with minority communities."

Zayd Atkinson, Black man held at gunpoint by Colorado officers while picking up trash in his yard and his lawyer. | Photo: YouTube/ ABC News.

Zayd Atkinson, Black man held at gunpoint by Colorado officers while picking up trash in his yard and his lawyer. | Photo: YouTube/ ABC News.

Advertisement

The lawyer also described the incident as a reflection of a more significant racial problem within Boulder, which is about 81 percent white and less than 2 percent black, according to census data. Atkinson also said he is trying to work through the pain and wants to meet with the city council to have a conversation about their policies and officer training. He said,

"There are instances like this where people don't come out alive. I'm blessed that I got out alive and unharmed."

WHAT EXACTLY HAPPENED?

In the video of the incident posted online, Atkinson can be seen holding a trash can and a stick in front of a building when a policeman approached him. The young man could then be heard telling the police he is on his property and just picking up trash after being asked by the officer if he was allowed to bethere.

Atkinson told the deputy he lived and worked in the building, and even gave out his school identification card as proof, but the officer detained him to investigate further.

Advertisement

The policeman then made a request over the radio for additional assistance to come to his aid, stating that the man (Atkinson) was uncooperative and unwilling to put down a blunt object.

Several other officers, including a supervisor, responded. At least one officer reportedly pulled his gun and aimed it at the ground, while another had a shotgun. Zayd is now grateful for his life and happy that he survived the ordeal which many like him have unfortunately, fatally suffered.

Advertisement
info
Please fill in your e-mail so we can share with you our top stories!
By subscribing, you agree to our Privacy Policy
Advertisement
Related posts

Woman Comes Back Home From Work, Finds Naked Homeless Man In Her Bed – Story of the Day

October 31, 2023

Police Pull Over Boy of 12 Driving Car, ‘I’m Driving My Unconscious Mom to the Hospital!’ Boy Says — Story of the Day

February 21, 2024

Boy Comes Home from Camp to Find Parents Gone and His House Up for Sale – Story of the Day

November 14, 2023

Mom Welcomes Santa-In-Disguise on Christmas Eve, Only to Learn He's Wanted by Police on TV – Story of the Day

January 09, 2024

Сops Can’t Trace Boy Who Didn’t Return from School, Week Later Dog Brings Mom His Backpack – Story of the Day

January 18, 2024

Couple Leaves Children with Cousin for Restaurant Visit, Are Horrified to See Their House Surrounded by Police on TV — Story of the Day

December 11, 2023

Woman Has Been in Years-Long Relationship with Undercover Cop Sent to Spy on Her – ‘It Felt like an Explosion'

February 16, 2024

Couple Leaves Kids with Cousin for Restaurant Visit, Are Horrified to See Their House Surrounded by Police on TV — Story of the Day

December 15, 2023

Woman Returns Home From Work, Finds Naked Homeless Man In Her Bed – Story of the Day

December 08, 2023

I Sent My Daughter to My Mother for Summer, Soon I Learned My Mom Died and Daughter Disappeared – Story of the Day

February 20, 2024

Сops Can’t Find Boy Who Didn’t Return from School, Week Later Dog Brings Mom His Backpack – Story of the Day

November 14, 2023

Boss Accused Me of Faking That I Have a Son & Got Me Arrested after I Asked For a Week off to Care For My Sick Kid

January 19, 2024

My Wife Had a New Friend, and Later I Was Horrified to Find Out That It Was My Ex – Story of the Day

February 01, 2024

Stepdad Almost Wins Custody Battle, Then Girl Says Three Words That Change Everything – Story of the Day

December 18, 2023