‘Justice for Cordae,’ peaceful protestors walk to police station
Published 4:08 pm Wednesday, January 29, 2025
BROOKHAVEN — A dozen peaceful protestors chanting “Justice for Cordae,” carried signs and walked a mile to the Brookhaven Police Department station Wednesday afternoon. Cordae Peyton, 17, was shot and killed on December 8, 2024. He was a student at Brookhaven High School.
As previously reported by The Daily Leader, Brookhaven Police Chief Kenny Collins said the young man was suspected by a vehicle owner of being involved in an auto burglary outside of the Speedy Wash on Industrial Park Road when he was shot and killed.
Brookhaven Police Department stated in December they were working to collect all of the relevant facts, interview witnesses and analyze evidence to determine the full circumstances surrounding the event. No further updates have been provided since the start of the investigation.
Peyton’s family stated in a press release published on Facebook on Jan. 9, 2025 that the young man was at the Speedy Wash doing what he did every Sunday, washing clothes for the family. On Dec. 8, he was “an innocent bystander,” according to the family. The family alleged a police officer was involved in the shooting and also alleged the Brookhaven Police Department was trying to cover up the case.
Wednesday afternoon, the family’s cry was unified “We want justice for Cordae,” the family chanted outside of the Regal UA Westbrook Movie Theater on Brookway Boulevard. From there, the family crossed the Boulevard and walked to US51 where they cut across the lanes of traffic when it was safe to do so.
Arriving at the Brookhaven Police Station, the family continued to chant “We want justice, justice for Cordae.”
A few people looked on from Lipton Glass across the street. Vehicles passed by and honked their horns as the protestors continued to chant.
Collins, who has asked for the community’s patience with the investigation, was not at the station while the protestors were there. His truck was not there either.
“Ain’t nobody coming outside to answer no questions,” one man jeered outside of the police station.