Last police contact: 2020
Antonio Mays Sr. says his last contact with Seattle Police about his son's murder was in 2020 — the year of the shooting itself.
Snapshot · Up First from NPR
How an anti-police violence protest ended in a teen’s death
Explore episode
Jun 14, 2026
Where this was said
A Father's Devastating Regret
At 15:31 · chapter starts 14:30
The interview reaches its most shattering moment when Antonio Mays Sr. reflects on the education he gave his son. He is deeply proud of the young man Antonio Jr. became, proud that he had the courage to make the trip to Seattle, proud he stood up for something. But when Brownstone presses him on the mixed feelings he carries, Antonio Sr. says what no parent should ever have to say: if giving his son back his life meant unlearning everything he taught him about race and justice and history, he would do it without hesitation. 'To hell with Black history,' he says. It is not a political statement. It is grief, raw and complete.
Seattle Police Went Silent on a Father
Antonio Mays Sr. last heard from Seattle Police about his son's murder in 2020. After that, phones went silent. He was told the case was reassigned, then that it was closed. Reporters discovered Seattle Police claimed the investigation was still 'open and active' — but had never told the father.
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