Theodore Paul Wafer
Early reactions to a Michigan prosecutor’s decision to charge the man who shot Renisha McBride in the face earlier this month as she approached his home following a car crash were largely positive from sympathetic activists in the hours following the announcement.
Theodore Wafer, 54, who told police he thought the 19-year-old was an intruder and that his shotgun accidentally discharged, was arraigned Friday afternoon in a Wayne County courthouse on charges of second-degree murder, manslaughter and possession of a firearm during the attempted commission or commission of a felony.
The Detroit branch of the NAACP said:
“The shadow of Trayvon Martin and his untimely and what many believe unnecessary death in the state of Florida, continues to haunt many in the African American community. This particular case had the appearance that it might have been headed down the same road… We are pleased that the Wayne County Prosecutor’s office and the Dearborn Heights Police Department stood together as they brought charges against Mr. Wafer. This is a healthy sign of unity in both communities.”
W.J. Rideout III, a pastor and civil rights activist, told mlive.com:
“Awesome, this is awesome… I can sleep at night.”
Local activist Dawud Walid helped organize a rally pushing for charges:
[tweet https://twitter.com/DawudWalid/status/401387900274618368%5D
Rashad Robinson, executive director of the civil rights site ColorofChange.org, released a statement:
“We applaud Wayne County Prosecutor Kym Worthy’s decision to charge Renisha McBride’s confessed killer Theodore Paul Wafer with second-degree murder, along with lesser included charges of manslaughter and possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony, an important step towards ensuring that black youth are no longer killed with impunity.”