Raymond Fowler’s son, Jarrel Garris, lost his life on July 3, 2023. On September 18, 2024 the NYS Office of Special Investigation, which reviews all deaths at the hands of the police, released its report. Attorney General Letitia James recommended that the New Rochelle Police Department update its training and policies but concluded that no charges would be filed against Detective Steven Conn,  who shot and killed Garris. The family filed a lawsuit against the detective involved and the City of New Rochelle in September of 2024, this suit has yet to be settled. Fowler recently memorialized the  second year of living with only the memory of his beloved son, Jarrel, and the injustice of his death. Below is his open letter that was originally posted on social media April 4th, 2025.

OPEN LETTER TO THE CITY OF NEW ROCHELLE LEADERSHIP AND COMMUNITY

Today marks 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? “He was Certified in crisis prevention”on June 9, 2023

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.

My family continues to seek the truth. And I know we are not alone.

🎙️Be the voice that demands change. 🖊️ SIGN THE PETITION

📲 Link into 🔗 ⬇️

🔗 https://chng.it/8G9Gv9qTn8

#JusticeForJarrel #WeMustCee2It #WestchesterCounty #BlackLivesMatter

Signed,

Mr. Fowler

Father of Jarrel Garris

Raleigh, NC