On Monday, Cook County State Attorney Anita Alvarez announced that no charges would be filed against Chicago police officer George Hernandez, who shot and killed Ronald Johnson III in October 2014. The news comes just hours after U.S. Attorney General Loretta Lynch announced a federal probe of the Chicago Police Department. “We are deeply disappointed with the Chicago prosecutor’s decision not to charge Officer George Hernandez in the murder of Ronald Johnson. This decision doesn’t do justice to carrying out justice. In 2015 alone, police have killed about a thousand people across the country—and black people represent a disproportionate percentage of those killed. The ongoing targeting and killing of black people, the excessive use of force by police, and the lack of police accountability is all part of a national crisis that has to end. “The public has lost trust in local Chicago authorities. We need our leaders to increase transparency and responsiveness to build greater confidence in our criminal justice system. We thank the Justice Department for steps taken thus far and further urge the Department to lead an independent investigation into Johnson’s murder. In these times, we need DOJ to use every tool at their disposal to bring justice to Johnson’s family and the community,” said Rea Carey, National LGBTQ Task Force Action Fund Executive Director.