Pace University students pause to remember school athlete shot by Pleasantville officer 10 years ago

Saturday marks 10 years since Pace University football player Danroy "DJ" Henry was fatally shot by a Pleasantville police officer outside a Thornwood bar.

News 12 Staff

Oct 17, 2020, 9:24 PM

Updated 1,284 days ago

Share:

Saturday marks 10 years since Pace University football player Danroy "DJ" Henry was fatally shot by a Pleasantville police officer outside a Thornwood bar.
Accounts of that night vary, but the 20-year-old student-athlete was outside the bar, sitting in his car, when police responded to reports of a fight.
Police say that when they asked Henry to move his car out of a fire zone, he sped away, hitting officer Aaron Hess in the process.
Hess ended up on the hood of the car and fired his gun at the windshield. However, surveillance video appears to show Henry's car slowing down, before some witnesses say Hess jumped on the hood.
Another police officer testified that Hess was, in fact, the aggressor in the encounter.
The case went to a grand jury, but Hess was never charged.
Just this year, amid protests for racial equality, celebrities like Jay-Z and Rihanna called to reopen the case. In June, however, the Westchester District Attorney's Office said, "The case could only be reopened if new evidence is discovered. At this time, there are no plans by this office to reopen the case."
Now Pace students who were in elementary and middle school at the time of Henry's death are honoring his memory.
"When we think about DJ Henry and we think about what he means to me personally, I think about how I can be a better person, how I can do more on campus. How I can change more," says student Stephanie Nazario.
And while the tensions between police and people of color have continued over the last decade, some students say they have hope for the future.
"I'm super proud of our generation and I just hope that we continue that as we get older. I hope this isn't just a trend," says Annabel Keppel-Palmer.
The students continue to tell Henry's story and plan to continue their work with an annual "Social Justice Week," which will start on Oct. 26.


More from News 12
0:28
President Biden's visit prompts early dismissals in Westchester schools

President Biden's visit prompts early dismissals in Westchester schools

2:15
Pop-up showers with breaks of sun today, mostly sunny for the rest of the workweek

Pop-up showers with breaks of sun today, mostly sunny for the rest of the workweek

Vote 2024: Ask your questions for Congressional District 16 Democratic candidates

Vote 2024: Ask your questions for Congressional District 16 Democratic candidates

2:22
Proposal for Putnam County lithium-ion battery storage station raises concerns in Westchester

Proposal for Putnam County lithium-ion battery storage station raises concerns in Westchester

News 12 Westchester/Hudson Valley Daily Poll

News 12 Westchester/Hudson Valley Daily Poll

0:28
Police officer's conduct under review following shoplifting incident at Newburgh Walmart

Police officer's conduct under review following shoplifting incident at Newburgh Walmart

0:28
Dutchess County bus driver honored as Bus Driver of the Year

Dutchess County bus driver honored as Bus Driver of the Year

1:23
Headlines: Child sex crimes, 70-year-old scammed out of $28,000, crackdown on scooters and motorcycles

Headlines: Child sex crimes, 70-year-old scammed out of $28,000, crackdown on scooters and motorcycles

0:18
President Biden to deliver commencement address at West Point

President Biden to deliver commencement address at West Point

0:21
Traffic Alert: Bridge replacement in Dutchess County to begin May 1

Traffic Alert: Bridge replacement in Dutchess County to begin May 1

0:26
Spring Valley man convicted for violating order of protection and resisting arrest

Spring Valley man convicted for violating order of protection and resisting arrest

0:23
'Inappropriate' behavior by students causes increase in Crawford police patrols

'Inappropriate' behavior by students causes increase in Crawford police patrols

0:49
Yonkers charter school launches automotive career exploration program

Yonkers charter school launches automotive career exploration program

0:32
US banning TikTok? Your key questions answered

US banning TikTok? Your key questions answered

1:02
Composting can save money, help gardens and save the planet. Here are 10 tips to get you started

Composting can save money, help gardens and save the planet. Here are 10 tips to get you started

2:01
Orange County hosts crime victims' vigil

Orange County hosts crime victims' vigil

0:37
Authorities: Man severely burned outside sports complex in Warwick

Authorities: Man severely burned outside sports complex in Warwick

0:29
Netflix to film parts of conspiracy thriller 'Zero Day' in Nyack on Wednesday

Netflix to film parts of conspiracy thriller 'Zero Day' in Nyack on Wednesday

1:45
A closer look at 4 laws in approved NY state budget designed to combat retail theft

A closer look at 4 laws in approved NY state budget designed to combat retail theft

2:41
Kindness never goes out of style: Social media request helps provide prom dresses for kids with special needs

Kindness never goes out of style: Social media request helps provide prom dresses for kids with special needs