Javon Dawson’s brother searched for firearm
ST. PETERSBURG — The younger brother of the teenager shot by a St. Petersburg Police officer was searched for a firearm at school today, police said. No weapon was found.
Spokesman Bill Proffitt said police received a tip that Keon Dawson, 14, the younger brother of 17-year-old Javon Dawson, was carrying a firearm at school. The principal of Meadowlawn Middle School searched Keon’s backpack and locker, said police spokesman Bill Proffitt. A school resource officer also patted him down.
Police said Javon Dawson was at a graduation party on June 7 when officer Terrence Nemeth saw him shooting a gun near a crowd and shot him twice in the back. The International People’s Democratic Uhuru Movement has said that Dawson had no gun and was murdered by the police.
The Uhurus announced a Wednesday news conference to talk about the harassment of witnesses in the Dawson case. "This was just one in a series of incidences where St. Petersburg police have harassed, attacked and intimidated witnesses in the case," the group said in an e-mail.
–Stephanie Garry, Times Staff Writer