FBI will investigate Brandon Coleman case

A high-profile killing earlier this year is now is now being reviewed by the Department of Justice and the FBI will conduct their own investigation.

On May 19, Dustin Deacon shot and killed Brandon Coleman after an argument on Ann Street, police said.

Boone County prosecutor Dan Knight decided not to file charges, citing evidence showed Deacon shot to protect his father.

But Coleman’s mother believes the shooting was racially motivated and filed a complaint with the Department of Justice.

“It was okay for a white male to shoot and kill my son, shoot him four times, which I thought was excessive,” said Winona Coleman-Broadus. “A fresh set of eyes on this case might do it some good.”

Now, the Justice Department has responded to the complaint and FBI agents will conduct their own investigation.

“It’s such a relief to know the case is not finished and complete like I was led to believe by the prosecuting attorney, so I’m still hopeful there can be justice for my son,” Coleman-Broadus said.

David Tyson Smith, the attorney on the case, said the law allows for federal prosecution in cases where there could be a potential bias.

“For example, if there’s a murder, and there’s a bias to it, if it’s racially motivated, there’s a statute that allows the federal government to get involved and to prosecute and that’s what’s happening here,” Smith said.

It’s still early in the process, but Coleman-Broadus said she had to take this next step.

“It’s not over until it’s over, so I’m hopeful,” she told ABC 17 News. “I’ll remain hopeful until they’ve completed their investigation and there’s a final report. I’ll have to accept whatever decision is made.”

Coleman-Broadus said she believes justice means charges filed against Deacon.

“I can’t have my son back,” she said. “That would be first and foremost if I could have what I wanted and what I want the end result to be. Since I can’t have that, I think there should at least be a jury trial.”

A spokesman for the U.S. Attorney’s Office said the Department of Justice takes all citizen complaints seriously and this case is no different. He also said this does not mean the prosecutor was wrong for not filing charges against Deacon. It just means the case is getting a second look.