The mother of a man tragically killed in a high-profile mass shooting in Austin, Texas, has issued a scathing letter to the city council, blaming their decision to defund the police in 2020 for contributing to the lawlessness that led to her son’s death.
Julia Kantor’s email, obtained by Fox News Digital, was directed to all Austin City Council members just days before the trial of her son’s alleged killer, De’Ondre White, commenced. In her message, she expressed her hope that the council members would follow the trial as a duty to their citizens. She directly pointed to their decision to defund the police, asserting that this action allowed “evil people with no regard for life to run and ruin” the city.
It is day three of witness testimony for the murder trial of De'Ondre White. White is accused of killing Douglas Kantor during a 2021 mass shooting on Sixth Street.
Cameras are not allowed in the courtroom at this time, so follow this thread for live court updates. ⬇️@fox7austin pic.twitter.com/6dWIzrXOMx
— Amanda Ruiz (@AmandaRuizFOX7) August 31, 2023
Douglas Kantor, Julia’s son, was 25 when he was caught in the crossfire of a gang shooting on June 12, 2021, in Austin’s 6th Street entertainment district. The tragic incident resulted in Kantor’s death and injured numerous innocent bystanders.
The shooting occurred about a year after the Austin City Council voted to defund the police in the aftermath of the George Floyd protests. Critics have since argued that the rise in crime, including a record number of homicides in 2021, was exacerbated by the defunding of the police and the subsequent police shortage.
Adrianna was planning a future with Douglas Kantor, but on 6/12/21, he was shot & killed on Sixth St.
The man on trial for Kantor’s murder is De’Ondre White, who Kantor’s mother says doesn’t have a future.
White’s attorney says he was protecting his friends. @fox7austin pic.twitter.com/5fX1gHBJfr
— Meredith Aldis (@MeredithonFOX7) August 30, 2023
Julia Kantor’s letter called out the council members for their “irresponsible choices for political gain” that, according to her, have jeopardized the safety of Austin’s citizens and visitors. She accused them of causing harm to thousands of lives and labeled them as “COWARDS” who lack the courage to admit the destructive consequences of their actions.
Although Julia Kantor’s letter received no responses from the council members, her son Nicklaus Kantor expressed the desire for some form of acknowledgment from them regarding the loss his family has suffered.
