Hundreds of family members, friends and strangers marched in honour of Hudson Brooks Sunday, three months to the day the South Surrey man was fatally shot outside a police detachment.
Holding signs with Brooks’ photograph, and messages reading “we want answers” and “your child could be next,” upwards of 200 people marched along 152 Street in South Surrey, past the RCMP detachment where the 20-year-old was killed in the early morning hours of July 18.
“We will never give up. I will never stop until justice is served,” Jennifer Brooks, Hudson’s mom, told Peace Arch News prior to the demonstration. “Nothing they will say can justify the murder of my son.”
In the months since Brooks’ death, his loved ones have expressed frustration over the lack of information from the RCMP about what happened that night.
According to police, officers were responding to reports of a man screaming in the 1800-block of 152 Street around 2:30 a.m. when a struggle ensued. Brooks was shot, and an officer suffered a non-life-threatening gunshot wound.
Investigators confirmed two days later that only police-issued firearms were found at the scene.
Earlier this month, officials with the Independent Investigations Office acknowledged the slow speed of lab results, noting reports were not expected to be concluded “until minimally the new year.”
Several marchers taking part Sunday said they couldn’t believe the family hasn’t been given more answers as to what unfolded the night Brooks was killed.
One woman – who said she didn’t know the Brooks family but felt compelled to show her support – said the incident was “just heartbrea
king.”
“It could have been my brother,” she said. “It could have been anyone.”
Upon returning to the large memorial that has been in place outside of the RCMP detachment, Jennifer Brooks thanked the crowd and promised to keep her son’s name in the spotlight.
She also thanked officers who helped block traffic while the large group marched along the busy street.
“There are good police officers,” she said. “Unfortunately, my son did not get one of them that night.”
