I'm Lester Holt tonight on Dateline, a mother who will stop at nothing to find her son's killer. I remember telling him Sorry, mommy wasn't there for you, not rest until find out? Who it is in why who shot him?

I was he shot while he was in the car in the car who lives there for like. Why would he be there? The only trouble that he would ever get in would be with women. He was texting, making phone calls all. At the same time. You finally see the video from the police camera. I can't get that image out of my head. I saw this on the ground died. My family immediately went into action. She found out a lot of things are on the Eastern Della guess she needed to keep investigating. I knew that I had to do the work myself. I only have a twenty six for that, Martin Bob, where you pinch the community. That's failing here. My son deserves justice. I will keep fighting for him until my last

the Josh Mankiewicz, with the story of the Sometimes it's a sound that brings it all back the form of a basketball on a whim of bath board. That's when she Pearl Wells can almost see them again, her son and his friends playing ball late into the night. His name was Courtney, but on the court he was hard work. Thirty four! hand or who could shoot with either an her son who, through life, dancing with the dog and his sisters? Jazz.

Singing in his caught. His joy made any it's impossible sometimes those memories help his mom sure forget the horror of what came next and the person he had to become experience being no, not at all I'm a mom on a mission a thing that his mom can do. go inside out. Who did this to him your pearls, long battle to solve the mystery of what happened to her son, for to confront questions that went beyond Courtney. Questions about who gets justice in Chicago. In this life in this country and who does not. It was almost like a wilful to not know what happened to Courtney if you want to get away with murder in America, kill a black person

before we answer that, let's go to a March night in thousands. Sixteen, it was cold. The way We Chicago can be Shapiro was asleep in her bed in suburban Cicero, I too am I hear this fund, speed at my door fully shone their flashlights through the windows, and what followed, terrifying news. The two year old Son Courtney was in the hospital, but she says They didn't tell her want. I remember falling to the floor because because, if he's in there with a broken leg, they're going to tell you that, yes, so. I knew that this must be bad. first thought was an accident. When he was well known for texting, dancing snap chatting while behind the wheel of his beloved Bmw at the hospital

He was taken not to see Courtney to a room with chairs and clinics. Clarissa Hawkins was one of the nurses Remember shall just kind of like a media star shaking. Finally, the after came in is all he said that my son had arrived with the gunshot shot in the eye they done all they could, but Courtney was dead. I remember- grabbing her and holding her hand hugging her. and I remember us all proclaim me who shot him, because that was The furthest thing from my mind, The Muslim was shot and killed in the parts of Chicago that appear more often in police reports than in tourism. At Wife immunize you against death. hands of another.

Do you ever worry about him getting caught up in the violence it seems to the raging in Chicago in recent years. I would say I worried when he was in high school. Like you he graduated from school. I was like he made it. He safe and at the hospital Chaparral says, police gave her only the basics Courtney, been found across town in a neighborhood sure pearl hardly knew and she's. Does they had a question for her? Who was the of the Bmw in us my son. But Chaparral had more pressing questions like I Courtney had even been in that neighborhood friends. Gathered at the hospital, including Courtney's best friend, Chris Pineda. He told Chaparral. and the police he'd seen Courtney just a few hours earlier in Cicero. In the parking lot

next to their local pizza joint and he was like man. United Stuttering, this noble I'm writing out. Instead, I want to compliment my life. He was so happy crews. Courtney was headed home. So how are the ended up in north West? Your cargo last night who lives there. Who do we know that lives there? Who will I? Why would he be there? Finally, someone at the hospital I put two and two together that neighbourhood where all my lived and I remember his kind of say, who's on whose who's I'm aware she Initially, though, that's me like what what's going on trooper learned, Courtney had a secret girlfriend I Pearl wanted to talk with her. Bring the learn, something anything. but Courtney's last moments you come to rest and that hospital were sure pearl had just said goodbye.

Seeing him had to be the hardest thing. You've ever gone. It was was telling him so sorry, Mommy wasn't there for you I could imagine how you feel scared I don't know what happened to you in that instant chaparral promise to herself and her son she would everything she could to find out what did happen and nothing was going to stop her when we come back.

What would she pearl learn about that awful night? First of all, you ever condolences a meeting and a recording was shot while he was in the bar in the office, and the questions for police were just beginning, as we continue with the story of somebody Abortive NBC News this week, long look at the policing and America. sure Pearl wells have finally stop crying in place of tears came something else There are a lot of easy question answer questions that I into my mind, in her fog of grief. She pearl this To start making audio recordings of her journey maybe a way to make sense of it all first of all, you have our condolences.

and so should Pearl was recording when she and her husband Brandt met with Chicago police detectives a few days after Courtney. Murder do everything we can and follow the evidence where it takes us to bring the person that did this or persons to justice. The audio apertures police, interacting with a murder victim's family. Early days of an investigation, everybody spoken to The sums, a great kid and movies bad word to say about that: surprised, assure Pearl Courtney was a mama's boy. Mama just came back from Wisconsin. She bought me this hat and he was close to Brent his stepdad bandit over wrestling and jokes from time. He was little. He said

What do you call stolen cheese said? I will know what do you call it? He said not so cheese. Unlike all past, their dad told me cut grass my little and he was fiercely protective of his younger sisters. after a semester away at college on an athletic scholarship. Courtney was home again working hanging out with friends, Courtney and a lot of those he had there. led to make everyone feel like he was Your best friend, that's also pretty good, skill to have in business, it is He was in business with Jovan Dose and Jessica soda selling memberships to a travel club called world ventures, Courtney hustled as hard as he had on the basketball court, determined to earn enough, so his mom could stop working they'll tell you. my mom is still working. I gotta work tripled Tent harder I was so normal for me to wake up

You know to a message from him at six in the morning. Seven in the morning you know His hard work was paying off. she Bmw, he drove was a bonus from world ventures, He picked it out himself. A convertible in Chicago Courtney. He does baby, that's what cod in named is car. Yes, like I love you baby now. Bebe was in police custody. Courtney's beloved car was potential evidence in his murder. The Pearl sat across the table from CPD detectives and based on the evidence that you have now was he shot while he was in the car in the car where's that had happened, wasn't clear. Somehow court seriously wounded

driven himself to a police station where he asked an officer stopped at a traffic light for help Who was the officer on the scene that assisted my son several officers on the scene and they're comforting to your son, and we know that for perfect They said they'd already spent time, knocking on doors. Looking for witnesses, So far. Without much luck we have a lack of witnesses and that's any case, your son's case any case you want with the things that happened. Pearl thought she could help. She told active. Someone had contacted her on Facebook, tipster said on the same night. Courtney was shot. seen three men driving around the area in a grand Marquis later he seen them tossing a handgun under a truck

it's already been addressed, that's actually almost an hour afterwards. This a separate incident substance incorrect, did say they wouldn't rule anything out and told your pearl how they plan to work it. Work. We were from him out closest to you cord used what he was doing, who he was seeing and surely no one closer to Courtney. That night then alma his secret girlfriend Alma, said Courtney texted her. He was outside her apartment that night and then never showed up Chaparral, wanted to be sure. Detective spoke with her. I didn't know, I don't know if you re the boy friends or what the sergeant reassured sure pearl normally throw

courses of these investigations. We speak with people numerous times before she left beg the cops to take this one personally fight this. as if it was your own child Your pearl wasn't one to sit around and weak while detectives work, she replied Courtney's medical records from the hospital desperate than- so all she could. His last moments. Brent drove her to pick them up and what you read changed everything, but the time make it back to the car I'm like in tears and I'm like they did something to her. Weren't. They did something to him. coming up video from a night of a shooting. What do Pero see in her son's final moments. We were able to see for our eyes they said about? Him was a lie when data

God continues on this week's episode of the making space with photocopy podcast Amy Schumer on hosting the Oscars. I feel like this moment, you're in right now, yeah seems to be eclipsing the others at this very moment and on motherhood you are a mom of a beautiful little boy. What did motherhood give you that Hollywood could never give you acid reflux? Everyone says it's like your heart being outside your body, and that is what it's like to hear their conversation search for making space wherever you're. Listening now guys will I hear reminding you to check got the Sunday sit down podcast on this week's episode, I get together with the multi town, music star known as her already she's won a Grammy and an Oscar and performed at the Superbowl bowl part of a meteoric rise from child prodigy to the heights of music world, you can hear our conversation now for furry wherever you download your pot casts.

Sure pearl needed someplace to think she just picked up. murdered son's medical records from the only to something she absolutely did not understand. He was handcuffed. What the paperwork states handcuffed The pearls. Husband took her to a restaurant, to sit down and look over the paperwork when I open the door Lo and behold, it's curse. The same warmth and comfort of your boss is the same one comfort me at the hospital- and I said, have to ask you a question was my son handcuff. They had him here. after to the bed, nurse. Clarissa Hawkins remembers the handcuffs vividly

she says the medical team couldn't immediately transfer Courtney to a hospital bed he had one armed cuffed to the gurney. we were like okay where's, the police. We need these handcuffs off. About a minute or two went by and you know the police rushed in and they on handcuffed him. Why would a shooting victim be handcuffed I will say in my years of practice I have never seen a gunshot victim and handcuff. So, in my opinion, he was treated more like a suspect rather than a patient. It's your pool, thought to especially when she remembered police asking her at the hospital. If Courtney own, Bmw. He was driving When was the owner. She told police. Although name, wasn't on the cars registration. He had bad credit asked his friend to sign the papers,

we police are asking about the car, because they're wondering whether he stole the car right. Yes, I can understand They ran his plates, but no- of this matter. I felt that, The concern should not be with the car. It should be about saving his life. The official explanation for the police handcuffs can be found in the paramedics report court it, had been violent agitated danger to others. Why would that be? drugs in his system please review later said Trump shock made combative sport for the paramedics told us. Courtney was and for medical reasons, he was not in custody there, claiming the people who sperience in dramas? Sometimes fight does so branding handcuffs

It is not something that is normal, even if the person is violent and agitated of whaling We checked that with several experts who trained paramedics, they told us but gunshot victims do sometimes need to be restrained for their own safety, It's unusual for any patient to arrive at an er in handcuffs. unless they're in police custody, if it was white child would have been treated the same way too sure pearl seen police had racially profiled her son from the start, which lead, her to another place. What if the police Courtney had gone to for help I'd been the ones who killed him I immediately thought, at this was maybe a traffic stop gone wrong and that they're hiding something that used? suspicion speaks volumes about both the state of policing in America.

and the relationship between the Chicago cops and the communities they police, to say you were already to some degree mistrustful of Chicago police before Your son was ever shot yes a few minutes before Courtney's murder, Chicago was engulfed in protests following the release of video showing the police shooting teenager named Laquan Mcdonald, dramatic ash cam, video, showing officer Van Dyke, shooting Mcdonald. Sixteen times officer who shot it was later convicted of second degree murder, that made chaparral wonder if there was video of her sons encounter with police. count of at least ten police and private cameras in the neighborhood, where Courtney had been shot. What had they recorded We would not let her see the footage is out there.

hide my suspicion again. She file. Public records requests, organized rallies and list of the help of a non profit Journalism foundation called the Invisible Institute, five hundred days after Courtney's murder, Pearl was allowed to view the video police had found of her son's final night quickly realized she'd been wrong. Courtney wasn't shot by police You came the boy. The police were not involved in shooting it s the but instead not point. With them being involved, there was it makes cars zooming down the street it later. Another camera captured it stopped next to a squad. Car Courtney's voice on a nine one. One call The police officer immediately called for help

I an suddenly something else was clearly your pearl something that made her angry all over again nowhere on the available video did she see me being violent. Agitated Or a danger to others, as is written in the paramedics report, she did see was her son talking to police answer, in their questions. The mail repayment, according to Copeland, the date of birth, We were able to see for our eyes What they said about him was a lie. and this moment on the video haunts your Pearl Hearst, raising his arm to the cops who she says, treated Courtney. suspicion, rather than compassion. Could you imagine

looking at a video and your son is reaching up begging them to help them at that moment. I can imagine, Courtney fill in the light. leaving his body more than a year after Courtney's murder, his mother did not trust Chicago police to solve it. She decided she would do that herself Chaparral Wells was, just getting started. Coming evidence sure Pero hunts down more a woman reported that she heard gunshots is the puzzle coming together. One year after a murder, you'd expect detectives I a whole lot about their victim

How well did Chicago police detectives know? Courtney Copeland among his closest friends, so I mean If I were investigating his death? I'd be talking to the two of you. was going on. His life was saying who didn't I Kim the police, ask you those questions? No, I was never. Interviewed by any type of detective. They sit you down and ask any of that stuff. It's surprising cause they should have. You know, sure. Pearl had obtained some copies of the detectives case reports in of their reassuring words about working the case into out it look if they had never set up interviews with any Courtney's niece France, I understand that in this country there is one no family any homicide victim. Who believe

the are doing enough. Everybody wants to see more of an effort, but I don't think a lot of families have access to but instead I had after months investigating her son's case. Getting her hands on those reports record her interactions with police and walking the neighborhood Pearl Wells had teamed up with Alison flowers, the director of allegations at the invisible institute Alison shared her work with us one thing that I did was: I went through all his past calls all his recent text messages try to just understand in the days leading up to his death. What he was up to If there was any trouble going on in his life also did some investigative work that did not seem to be duplicated in the police. Case file. She wants Courtney's phone and build a timeline of his last day. He chatted.

His grandma and gone to work event after that meeting with Chris he'd gone home posting a snapchat outside his house I believe in myself and then he turned around and headed. After see alma texting alma that he's outside. Tiny asleep talking to another girl on the phone. We think and then he's Facebook messaging. His friend Brandon, who had just gotten a new job, These seconds later, his Bmw is racing toward the police station less than a mile away. So Where exactly did the shooting happen? I mean Spacex facts to know where Courtney was shine. We got broken glass at all with along Alison tracked down police dispatched it heard how officer had found broken glass after the shooting around the corner from almost apartment, maybe

glass from Courtney's car window. Alison knew from an old parking ticket. The spot was close to work Courtney parked when he went to visit Alma. There was also a woman who lived on the corner at the time who spoke to one of Courtney's friends, and she reported that she heard gunshots. So we do have several data points telling us where this likely occurred. one hundred feet from Alma's apartment, so who would have Him dead could me possibly have been involved in something illegal. Now he was, there No, he was so scared for that. The only trouble that he every gettin would be were women, that's it. Women were his weak spot. Yes, So he was going through Chicago, like the fire, I would say more whether Chicago he was, he, it was like kind of international Chicago, was just headquarters

because Courtney and alma work together. They kept their room. It's under wraps Jessica do about it and worried I had confided in her that her boyfriend was possessive and jealous, and Courtney, small Allison read something about another of all. My exes headed to him that a few days prior one of her ex's had left. jail or prison in a different state and that was of some concern to her hadn't. She detectives about whether Alma had a crazy ex boyfriend Yes, she had there He a written note in the police documents about one of almost boyfriends who didn't like Courtney. However, there was no sign anyone. One had followed up on that. Alison decided she would. It was to talk with alma.

coming when you heard the shots, as you think o that that could be Courtney. It didn't crossed my mind, a new clue from Alma She shared it with police. They said that they were going to call me and after that I never heard from them. I didn't understand, This is normal. Detective work when Dateline continues in space, with Hoda being the inspiring podcast returns for a brand new season to stand on the edge of the cliff and jump takes a lot of guts. We are meeting people one after the next who have made profound changes. Oh my gosh, I never thought of that. Oh my gosh. I could apply that in season two. I think you're going to be blown away by the life. Lessons join Hoda, Kotb for season two of making space new episodes every Monday. Listen now, Buddy Savannah got three and I'm going to copy. It would got some great news to share that today

is now available. Where ever you get your pipe cap. Can you believe that, right now you can get your daily those news in the headlines in the days top introduced from us right here every single morning. We have what you need start your day and it's available every day wherever you get, podcast. Why not subscribe and follow today to start listening? the if you've watched a lot of dateline. You know, Detectives usually talk extensively with the victim's partner or significant other probably more than once police have briefly spoken with all among Courtney, girlfriend them out of the shooting. After There was no indication in case reports. The detectives gone back to Alma and it didn't look. if they'd followed up on a tip about

jealous ex. I did Stan why they and do a thorough examination of alma This is normal. Detective work social Pearl and Allison went to interview her recording conversation, your honor? I am Allison repeated what she told police coordinated text at her. He was outside, but she never saw him she text back to see if he was ok and then without an answer. She had gone to sleep. When did you think and at that point in time, I was as a little bit worried, but it's not it's not. Unlike to change plans quickly. Almost the police had never asked her if she'd seen or heard anything that night, they just their business. They were going to call me to speak with me. To that. I never heard from them. They never questioned her about her ex boyfriends, so our

indeed almost er. Yes, she had an ex who didn't like Courtney he was no murder. You didn't feel he could be involved in in some way We said interviewed arm she I have told them: she'd heard two gunshots that night when you heard the shots. Did you think o that that could be Courtney? or did it not even cross your mind, it didn't cross my mind because around that time. There was just a lot of things going on in the neighborhood so we had heard gunshots before Alison tracked down another witness who heard gunshots around the same time, and she showed us that location was just a few blocks from all the apartment. Here she parking by the high school The woman named Elena also saw a car speeding down an alley what it might be connected, he called nine one. One right.

Let go a month later, detectives investigating Courtney's case went to interview Elena. she told them her husband, EDGAR that also seem a car and its passengers by didn't interview him, even though she told detectives that he had been right there in the alley when the car was passing through and the guys. In fact he had the best look at the guys because the window was down. The alley is extremely narrow, so he had a front row seat to who is in that car here is where some of the puzzle pieces seem to start coming together. The Mets the car at saw a great marquis. The singer of course, that Facebook tipster culture pearl about the play both men saw even seem to match, and this Alison spotted. What looks like a grand marquis in some of the video here. It is,

around the time of the shooting near the intersection where Courtney was killed. Remember the tips, said he'd seen the man in the car ditching a handgun he called nine one. It appeared, under the response to that call. Police arrested two guys that night, They were known gang members and charged with parole violations, But there is nothing to suggest detectives investigated them in connection with Courtney's murder. Most like a will, fall a wilfulness to not now I saw a story last night that said the thirty seven people were shot this week. And then Chicago and five of them were killed. Should we surprised the police, don't do all hands on deck, for every single murder cuz. They seem like

guys we like. Maybe they were kind of numb to it. Perhaps they were numb to it, but it also, you know, begs the question: what are they here for they're? Not prevent crimes and they're, not solving them either. It all put it troubling hypothesis institutional indifference to solving cases when it comes two people of color this man says the number tell story so the best way to get away with murder and Americans to kill a black victim. Your odds are better than if you kill a victim of any other race, sure pearl challenges, the police. We had a forty six percent of farm. Where you know it's, the community is failing here. The,

exactly two years after his murder deliberately drove the roads. Her son had taken the last night of his life. I wanted to see what my son was seen his point of view, what he was thinking just after one fifteen? Am Pearl wells pulled her son's Bmw to a stop. on the same asphalt where he had flagged down police, you feel better when it was over. No, I didn't feel better but I was like Courtney. Mommy is here I mean here you're, not alone answer Pearl knew she wasn't alone either in two thousand and sixteen the year, Courtney was killed, There were seven hundred seventy eight murders in Chicago that same year, police solved or in their words cleared, fifty Six percent of murders involving white victims for black murder victims

solve rate was just twenty six percent. Hargrove is the founder of the murder accountability project. profit that has collected and analyzed for DEC of homicide reports. Nationwide Is data is used by numerous police departments around the country as racial disparity, Solving murders is not just a Chicago problem in two thousand and nineteen, the most here, for which we have data cocaine. Murders were cleared at a rate of eighty one percent, that's the best has ever been for white murders, but for Africa, Americans, it's been in the 50s lately, says that's true. All over the country in cities, big and small community urban or rural, solve rates black murder victims are lower than for any other racial group and continuing to drop.

so the best way to get away with murder in America is to kill a black victim. If you generally kill a black victim, are your odds are better than if you kill a victim of any other race. That is simply The data show too simple. Zoe answer is that the bargains across the country or prioritizing murders in which the victims white? I would not believe that I really, wouldn't I dont think its. General racism about among detectives, but I do think that there are factors that take solve ability out of there and statistically murders involving black victims are more likely to be committed by strangers or by gangs. Cases are harder to solve Hargrove says overloaded. Homicide detectives need more manpower and training that takes more money and if race plays a role, How and where police dollars get spent. Unfortunately,

a great many places. Insufficient resources are being applied because of the political decision on how much effort should be made in these kinds of Without those resources, Hargrove says, is a devastating spiral. If the cops, Aren't solving murders potential, witnesses. Don't feel safe enough to speak up and kill, things continue. Murder begets murder, especially unsolved murder, You had tremendous success. Closing homicides at a rate, I think better than the national average. What's the secret, thing. I truly believe that helped in our success is that relationships in communities in which we work than theirs, Cedric. Alexander was chief of police in Dekalb, County Georgia and is now a law enforcement analyst for NBC News. He says solving murders has to involve cooperation between police and citizens. What's needed,

kind of connection. That seems to be missing in Courtney case in a term that you have a body drop Nothing is going to be more important than that. I witness are some one who saw something heard something and for people who want to talk to you that, requires a certain level of trust between the community and the department number one you gotta have trust. Ten months after Courtney's murder, a department just as investigation concluded. Community Boston, the Chicago Police Department was broken and urged policed except saying in Korea sing community trust and confidence in C b d. is necessary to be a clear, more homicides. The sea it motto. Is we serve and protect a year Courtney's murder department that hadn't protected Courtney, her. She went to meet. the sea beady again, and once again she was recording

This time her relationship with detectives had deteriorated and she challenged them on their record. Yeah only have a twenty six percent. Martin fall for it. Yeah in the city of Chicago people can talk about the police department, far as, but it's the community, that's failing here. Sergeant said his detectives had been working Courtney's case hard. those what happened here and there are no common forward. I mean we, spit on. We can keep tat, we get punch people refer to as pigs. The sword, we're looking for help from the community, your son who's a good kid, and nobody want to come forward is your that now sounds like an excuse? What about the potential? who called nine hundred and eleven that night his girlfriend alma recently told us detectives you haven't spoken with her. They did the bare minimum.

the bare minimum is what's Chicago. Police department did in my son's case, I don't believe department declined to discuss Courtney, murder, saying it's still. An open case affairs investigation of how police treated at the scene concluded office. had done nothing wrong in an email, the department, All cases are investigated thoroughly, which is pretty. what they said. The chaparral in that first meeting with the tactics BT also said there. Murder clearance rates are improving, but did not as the racial disparity we asked about. it tell us about a reorganization involving new homicide team supported by gang units and better technology, and they We did to an investment in neighbouring policing, the Chicanos current pull superintendent David Brown announced earlier this month. Arguably, this

will be the most significant commitment of effort, resources and leadership to building Trust in Chicago PDF. At the same time, Chicago's inspector general is looking at Courtney's case every from why he was handcuffed to how Tat gives investigated, is murder, Chaparral contain used to look for answers her way. My name is Chaparral Wells, I'm Courtney, Copeland's mom, You are a listening to your grandpa gas. Before the s yes and then suddenly you became a true but Podcast yes, sure now hosts of podcast about her sons case called somebody produced by topics. Yes, the intercept and the invisible institute. She wants to the story of what happened and what did not? I'm going to take you with me step by in my investigation

asked was a final asked for the Pulitzer Prize, but support not sure the people she really wants to hear her are listening. no faith in Chicago Police Department that will solve my son's murder. So your missions not over? No, I will keep fighting Courtney until my last breath They bring me a convicted murderer, You know that won't even the scales I feel that my son deserves as the. that's all for now. I'm Lester Holt thanks for joining us. The