WASHINGTON, D.C. — The National LGBTQ Task Force is describing the murder of Daren Seals, a civil rights activist who rose to prominence in the protests in Ferguson, Missouri against the police killing of Michael Brown as “horrifying and disturbing.” Seals’ body was found in a burning vehicle, having been shot.
“We are deeply saddened by the murder of Daren Seals who so courageously helped lead the protests in Ferguson against the police killing of Michael Brown. His murder is both horrifying and disturbing. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family and friends. The Justice Department issued a damning report on the prevalence of racial bias throughout Ferguson’s law enforcement system. It’s against this backdrop that we insist all necessary steps be taken to thoroughly investigate Mr. Seals’ murder in a fair and transparent manner,” said Rev. Rodney McKenzie, Director of the Academy for Leadership and Action, National LGBTQ Task Force.
County police spokesman Officer Benjamin Granda said the department’s arson unit was called to assist the City of Riverview with a vehicle fire Tuesday morning, reported USA Today. When the fire was extinguished, the body of Seals, 29, was found inside. Seals had suffered a gunshot wound, Granda said.
“We are working with potential witnesses and doing everything we can, the same as we do in every case,” Granda said, adding that police had no suspects. “We need the community’s help on this.”
