Civil Rights Attorneys and the Saint-Germain Family Remain Committed to Pursuing Justice Following Fatal Home Raid

On January 3, 18-year-old Daevon Montez Saint-Germain was fatally shot nine times by deputies from the Knox County Sheriff's Office during a raid on his Knoxville, Tennessee home. The search, prompted by a marijuana investigation, escalated when officers claimed Daevon threatened them with an assault rifle. His family insists he was asleep when the raid began. 

Authorities justified the no-knock raid by citing social media posts suggesting Daevon possessed weapons, though he had no prior criminal record. Bodycam footage was not available because SWAT members weren't equipped with cameras at the time—a policy that has since changed.

Civil rights attorney Ben Crump, now representing Daevon's family, condemned the raid as unconstitutional and excessive. "They can't explain why they killed Daevon Saint-Germain. Their story keeps changing," Crump said at a press conference outside a federal courthouse. He criticized the reliance on social media for the warrant and labeled the raid a violation of the Fourth Amendment, which protects against unreasonable searches. "Daevon was an 18-year-old kid… who had dreams of buying his own box car to work with deliveries for Amazon. He was killed as a result of a no-knock warrant."

Crump emphasized that Daevon, a licensed gun owner, had a legal right to possess firearms. He also questioned conflicting narratives from the Sheriff's Office and the District Attorney's Office about whether Daevon was armed. District Attorney General Charme Allen cleared the deputies, stating they acted in self-defense.

The incident has stirred significant outrage in Knoxville, especially among Black residents. Protesters held signs and chanted "Justice for Daevon Saint-Germain," demanding transparency and accountability. Crump remarked, "They don't do this in other communities… Doesn't he deserve your humanity?"

Community tensions remain high. A public meeting meant to address the deaths of Daevon and another Black man in custody led to heated exchanges between residents and law enforcement officials. Daevon's family later joined a march honoring both men, calling for systemic change and justice.

Link: WBIR