News/Commentary

Ben Crump seizes on deadly police shooting of Tekle Sundberg, who he calls ‘smart, loving & artistic’

July 18, 2022 | | Print Article

Ben Crump has made his name and fortune capitalizing on racial strife that tears at the very fabric of America, rarely passing on an opportunity to hold the nation hostage over sins from a bygone era.

So it comes as no surprise that he was quick to jump on the death of Andrew “Tekle” Sundberg, who was shot and killed by Minneapolis police snipers after Sundberg fired multiple gunshots inside an apartment building. The deceased 20-year-old is being portrayed as a victim by the likes of Black Lives Matter and others, but the young mom who barely escaped his bullets angrily confronted the protesters, telling them that Sundberg “tried to kill me in front of my kids!”

Crump had a different take: “This is Tekle Sundberg. Minneapolis Police Department killed this smart, loving & artistic 20-year-old after an hours-long standoff while he was experiencing a mental health crisis. We need ANSWERS from MPD as to why Tekle’s mental health crisis became a death sentence!”

But then, race hustling can be a lucrative market.

The attorney represented the family of Trayvon Martin, who was killed by George Zimmerman during a scuffle in February 26, 2012. A jury found Zimmerman not guilty in Martin’s death, agreeing that he could have been justified in the shooting. The fact that Zimmerman is Hispanic did not prevent the left from making Martin’s death a racial matter — the New York Times infamously labeled Zimmerman a “white Hispanic.”

That opportunity opened the door for many other cases for Crump, including representing the family of Michael Brown, the 300 lb. 18-year-old who was shot and killed while violently attacking a Ferguson police officer. Brown’s family received a $1.5 million wrongful death settlement even though a grand jury declined to indict the officer who shot him, and the Justice Department — under then-Attorney General Eric Holder, no less — concluded that the officer acted out of self-defense and was justified in killing Brown.

The reaction to Sundberg’s death follows the well-worn script seen over the past 10 years since Martin’s death. Make a lot of factually inaccurate statements to stir public sentiment and get weak-kneed local officials on their heels — the “hands up, don’t shoot” lie being the best example — and then maneuver to cash in.

And Crump wasn’t leaving anything to chance when it comes to stirring up emotions, promoting a rally ahead of time.

So facts be damn and reality suspended, there’s another con to be had — here’s a quick sampling of responses to the story from Twitter:

*Caution: Adult Language

Tom Tillison
Latest posts by Tom Tillison (see all)

Comment

We have no tolerance for comments containing violence, racism, profanity, vulgarity, doxing, or discourteous behavior. If a comment is spam, instead of replying to it please click the ∨ icon below and to the right of that comment. Thank you for partnering with us to maintain fruitful conversation.

Latest Articles