Community meeting held after DeLand officer runs over suspect

DeLAND, Fla. — A group of DeLand residents have come together looking for answers after an officer ran over a suspect with his police cruiser, killing the man.

State troopers are still investigating what happened last week when Officer James Harris was trying to arrest 38-year-old Marlon Brown.

Harris ended up running over Brown during what troopers called a pursuit following a seatbelt violation, but the investigation continues.

County Councilwoman Joyce Cusack said information is something she'll provide at a community meeting Monday, but she's also asking residents to trust the process and trust that it will bring answers.

"I will try to get the citizens to try to kind of defuse, if you will, the anxiety that exists today and say, 'Let me help you try to get through this,'" said Cusack.

Cusack called for the meeting and has been gathering information on her own, she said.

Troopers are still investigating last week's crash on South Delaware Avenue, where Harris ran over Brown.

So far, troopers have not said if charges will be filed, but Cusack is confident answers will come in time.

"I can assure you that everything I can do as your representative, I will do that to make sure that justice is served," she said.

Channel 9 obtained a copy of the DeLand Police Department's pursuit policy. It contains 27 different procedures divided into categories such as initiating a pursuit and terminating a pursuit.

The department still has not commented on whether Morris violated any of those procedures.

Either way, however, residents said they're convinced that there needs to be changes.

"If we don't talk about it, if we don't come together and talk about it, there will never be a change," said resident Charles Williams.

The police department said it would not have a representative at the community meeting. Some DeLand community leaders will be there, however, along with the NAACP.

WFTV