Deborah Danner
Birth date:
Death date:
October 18, 2016
Age at Death:
66
About
Born in 1950, Deborah J. Danner lived and worked in New York City and attended the New York Institute of Technology, graduating with a Bachelor of Science degree in Computer Science. Deborah later established a career as an IT/MIS professional while also working to raise awareness about mental illness as she strived to teach others about the challenges of living with schizophrenia. She was a strong and dedicated woman who always made an effort to help people understand what life was like with a disability. Deborah was also surrounded by the support of her sister Jennifer Danner who has fought for reformation within the NYPD since her sister’s death.
On October 18, 2016, neighbors of Deborah Danner called the NYPD to her home in the Bronx due to their resorts of her “erratic behavior”. Five police officers arrived to the home and found Deborah holding a pair of scissors, claiming that she would attack the officers if they came into the room. After putting down the scissors, a white police officer entered the room further in order to arrest Deborah. She then picked up a baseball bat and lifted the bat at the officer who then shot her twice. Ms.Danner was rushed to a nearby hospital where she, unfortunately, died of her injuries.
Was justice served?
Soon after Deborah Danner’s murder, NYPD seized the gun and badge of the officer responsible and then later suspended him. About seven months later, he was charged with second-degree murder, first-degree manslaughter, second-degree manslaughter, and criminally negligent homicide. In February 2019, the New York Supreme court acquitted the officer on all counts. Deborah’s sister, Jennifer Danner, sued the city of New York and eventually reached a settlement of $2 million dollars. As of March 2021, justice has not been served as the officer responsible for Deborah Danner’s murder is still on the streets without facing any legal repercussions for a death that was needless and cruel.