On March 20, Philadelphia Police shot and killed Aaron Rainey, a 36-year-old father suffering from a mental health crisis. Aaron was unarmed and agreed to voluntarily self-commit to a hospital for treatment. Because police are not equipped to deliver the care people in crisis need and deserve, the situation escalated, resulting in a police officer shooting his partner and then shooting and killing Aaron.
Aaron Rainey’s mother has not heard from Mayor Cherelle Parker or the police commissioner. Rather than reckon with this completely avoidable tragedy, the city seems to want to bury the story and move on like Aaron Rainey’s life was not taken by the people sworn to protect him.
Aaron’s family needs financial support to help them cover the cost of his funeral. Our hope is that we can raise a little extra so they can take time off to mourn. Every dollar you donate will go directly to Aaron’s mother.
It is possible to build a world where this never happens again. In the meantime, it’s a powerful act of hope to show up for one another in tangible ways while we work to bring that world into being.