Doylestown Vigil Held For 19-Year-Old Christian Hall, Killed By Police Last Year

DOYLESTOWN, PA — Vigils were held around the world and close to home Thursday to honor Christian Hall, a Chinese American 19-year-old who was shot by police on Dec. 30, 2020 in the Poconos.

A rally in Doylestown Thursday night featured images of Hall and candles set out on the steps of the courthouse lawn. Organizers held a moment of silence in his honor.

Pennsylvania State Police shot Hall last year after he called about a potentially suicidal person on the Route 33 overpass above Interstate 80.

"After about 90 minutes, he was shot with his hands up while holding a realistic-looking pellet gun," the Pocono Record reported. "Dashcam footage released [in November] confirmed close-up what a more distant bystander video already appeared to show: Hall did not point the weapon at the troopers before they fired, contrary to what the police claimed."

The Monroe County District Attorney's Office reportedly had intentionally blurred footage of Hall in the moments before his death, ruling that the shooting by troopers had been justified.

The Halls want an independent investigation into their son's death, and to see charges for those responsible. But in Pennsylvania, the state attorney general can only conduct an outside investigation if one is requested by the local DA.

"We're doing this to have those who need to be accountable, be made accountable. So that there will be change," his mother, Fe Hall, told Action News. "That cases like this, where there are killings that involve the police, there has to be an unbiased, independent investigation right away. That law has to be changed."

Justice for Christian Hall, an organization working in the young man's memory, has said that mental health professionals — or mental health professionals alongside police — should have been called to the scene. Organizers also want to see more funding allocated to mental health resources.

Also on the list of demands: state required, mandatory lifetime post-adoption resources for adoptees, whose families "are often unequipped to handle the trauma and challenges" their children experience.

One year later, his family is still reeling from the loss.

“Someone asked me, ‘Do you think things would have been different if he was Black?’ I had to honestly tell them, ‘I think that’s why they gave him 90 minutes. If he was Black, he probably would have had maybe 20,’” his father, Gareth Hall, told the Pocono Record. “That’s my sentiment as a Black man in this country. I think his being Chinese is what got him the 90 minutes.”

Justice for Christian Hall held an online vigil Thursday, in addition to ceremonies planned in 13 cities worldwide.

Hall's loved ones described him as an old soul and a talkative, naturally-friendly person.

“When he spoke to you, it was very intentional," his father's cousin, Nicole Henriquez, told the Pocono Record. "He looked in your eyes and he wanted to understand what you’re saying, and you understand what he was saying."

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