On the second anniversary of New Rochelle Detective Steven Conn shooting Jerrel Garris, his family is starting a petition demanding the termination of Conn. Garris was shot on July 3, 2025, and died from his injuries a week later on July 10th. A funeral was held for Garris on Saturday, July 29, 2023, at St. Catherine A.M.E. Church, the church where he was both shot in front of and baptized as a child.
A report released by the Attorney General’s Office of Special Investigation in September of 2024 noted that “Mr. Garris’s reported offense was petty and nonviolent,” and that his noncompliance with police efforts to speak with him was “not violent or physical.” The AG’s Office recommended that New Rochelle instruct officers to consider “objective criteria” for using force, rather than relying on officers to use their subjective discretion. But the report announced that no charges will be filed against a New Rochelle police officer involved in the fatal shooting of 37-year-old Garris.
Weeks after the AG’s report was released, the family of Garris sued Conn and the city of New Rochelle in state court, saying Garris was having a “mental health crisis” during the incident and that his death was preventable. “Conn should have followed the lead of the officers already at the scene who determined it was prudent to engage Jarrel verbally and not physically because he was visibly in mental crisis,” the lawsuit said.
Left with no justice from the AG’s office or the New Rochelle Police Department, the family started the petition demanding the termination of Conn.
“Demanding truth, accountability, and justice has never been more crucial. The body-worn camera (BWC) footage from Detective Steven Conn presents a disturbing and undeniable sequence of events that must be laid bare for public scrutiny. On reviewing the footage, it is clear that there has been gross misconduct and abuse of power, and therefore, we are calling for the termination of Detective Conn,” the petition states.
“This incident highlights a critical breakdown in trust between the New Rochelle Police Department and the community it is meant to serve and protect. There is an urgent need to address this misconduct decisively to restore public confidence and ensure that justice prevails. Injustice anywhere threatens justice everywhere, and silence is not an option. We cannot stand by while those tasked with upholding the law misuse their power. It is imperative that authorities act swiftly to terminate Detective Conn and send a clear message that police misconduct will not be tolerated in New Rochelle.”
Jerrel’s father Raymond Fowler also wrote a, OPEN LETTER TO THE CITY OF NEW ROCHELLE LEADERSHIP AND COMMUNITY
“Two years since my son, Jarrel Garris, was shot and killed on July 3, 2023, by Detective Steven Conn of the New Rochelle Police Department.
In August 2023, my family and I met with the Mayor of New Rochelle, the City Manager, members of the City Council, and the Police Commissioner via: Zoom. During that meeting, we raised serious, urgent questions—questions that deserved honest, transparent answers from those in power.
To this day, those questions remain unanswered.
We asked:
1. What race relations and community engagement training, if any, do New Rochelle police officers receive?
2. What training exists for officers when they encounter citizens facing a mental health crisis or a drug-related crisis?
3. How often do officers undergo psychiatric evaluations once they are active in the field—and specifically, when was Detective Conn last evaluated before the shooting?
4 . Why were no disciplinary actions ever taken against Detective Conn, especially since he was promoted just a month before the killing of my son?
The lack of answers from City leadership, even after two years, speaks volumes.
This silence shows a complete failure in transparency, accountability, and integrity—values these elected and appointed officials swore to uphold. It also shows a lack of respect not just for my family’s pain, but for the community’s right to know the truth.
Let this letter serve as a public notice:
The Mayor, the City Manager, the City Council, and the Police Commissioner of New Rochelle have chosen silence over accountability. Their failure to communicate directly contradicts their duty to act with honesty, fairness, and integrity—without favoritism and without fear. 🚨 Justice for Jarrel Garris!
New Rochelle PD’s body camera footage reveals a chilling timeline:
• Detective Conn’s BWC starts after he handcuffs Jarrel—but shows him punching him.
• Within 15 seconds, Conn yells “gun” & fires the fatal shot.
Why wasn’t the camera on before? Why no footage of the lead-up? This is erasure of truth.
We demand:
- Fire & charge, Detective Conn.
- Release ALL unedited footage.
- Federal investigation NOW.
Jarrel’s life mattered (PBUH – Peace Be Upon Him).
My family continues to seek the truth. And I know we are not alone.”
Signed,
Mr. Fowler
Father of Jarrel Garris
Raleigh, NC
The family is asking that you join them in taking a stand against injustice. Sign this petition to demand accountability and advocate for a community that is safe and just for all.
