The mother of a man killed in crossfire on the streets of Texas has sent a scathing letter to council members, partly blaming them for her son’s death after they bludgeoned police.
Julia Kantor wrote an email to Austin City Council members calling them cowards just days before her son’s alleged killer, De’Ondre White, went on trial for murder.
Her son Douglas, a 25-year-old Ford IT employee, died in agonizing pain after being one of 14 people randomly shot while enjoying themselves on Austin’s bustling 6th Street in June 2021.
Julia blamed the council — which voted to stop funding the police in 2020 — for their role in the lawlessness that took to the streets on the night of her son’s fatal injury.
In her blistering letter, which coincided with Austin’s police chief handing in his resignation, council members said they have “killed and ruined thousands of lives” and “they don’t care as long as you stay in power.”
Julia Kantor with her son Douglas who was shot on the streets of Austin in June 2021
Douglas John Kantor, 25, died of his injuries after a mass shooting on a busy street in downtown Austin in June 2021
The grieving mother said in the letter, obtained by Fox News Digital: “August 28, there will be a jury selection in Austin, Texas for the murder of my son Douglas Kantor and the assault of 14 others for the June 12, 2021 mass shooting on 6th Street.
“I hope you will follow this (process) as your duty to your citizens. It was you, the city government and others who disempowered the police and welcomed these evil people, disregarding life to run and ruin your city.
“It’s time you saw what you’ve done not only to the victims like my son, but also to our family and friends and to your city.
“Your irresponsible choices for political gain have targeted the citizens of Austin and anyone who visits.”
Julia continued, “You have killed and ruined thousands of lives and you don’t care as long as you stay in power. Like the killer, you are all cowards.
“none of you had the guts to say something and point out how stupid and destructive that was. I’m sure if your children were killed you would find your voice.’
She concluded, “Remember what happens comes about in different ways. Look at the last photo. This is the animal you unthinkingly unleashed on my son and the people of Texas.”
De’Ondre White, the alleged shooter, is currently on trial for murder
Doug Kantor pictured with his high school sweetheart Adrianna Esposito, who is already 10 years old
Douglas pictured with his family. The De’Ondre White murder trial is expected to last two weeks. He is accused of killing Douglas Kantor and wounding fourteen others
The De’Ondre White murder trial is expected to last two weeks. He is accused of killing Douglas Kantor and wounding fourteen others.
In his opening statement, state attorney Jean Sullivan told the court, “Doug died because of these people he had never seen or met before in his life, who brought guns and used them on Six Street that night.
“He went out with them that night to celebrate. He had just graduated. He was here for a good time, a good weekend.
“[His friends]had no idea that night would be the last time they could celebrate with Douglas Kantor.”
According to Douglas’ brother Nicklaus Kantor, his mother received no response to the inflammatory letter.
He told Fox News Digital, “I don’t think any of us have the idea that one of these councilors is going to say, ‘Oh, we’re so sorry, we did it on purpose.’
“You know, they won’t admit and take responsibility. But at least acknowledge the loss.’
Kantor was originally from Airmont, New York and lived in Michigan.
He received his undergraduate degree in computer engineering from the University of Michigan and was employed by Ford Motor Company at the time of his death.
Austin Police Chief Joseph Chacon said he would retire with ‘a heavy heart’ and said now was ‘the right time’ to step down
The terrifying letter from Douglas’ mother comes just days after Joseph Chacon, Austin Police Chief, abruptly announced his decision to leave the force after it was hit by a major staff shortage and lack of funds since the ‘defund the police’. ‘ movement.
Chacon said he would retire with “a heavy heart” and said now was “the right time” to step down.
He added that it was an “absolute honour” to become chief of police and urged officers to “hold your heads up high” and “keep fighting the good fight.”
His announcement comes amid persistent complaints from the department union about “miserable conditions” faced by officers.
They say the “defund the Police” movement has cut funding from departments and gutted the workforce.
The murder of George Floyd by a Minneapolis cop and the ensuing Black Lives Matter riots led to widespread demonization of police forces across the US.
Austin PD’s budget was boosted with a $150 million cut approved by the Democrat-led Texas City Council following its own scandal over the April 2020 shooting of an unarmed black man — just weeks before Floyd’s death.
The Austin City Council approved a $443.1 million budget for APD for fiscal year 2021-2022, increasing it from $309.7 million in 2020 after it was cut.
The awakened city leaders have proposed a budget of $476.5 million for 2023-2024, but adjusted for inflation, this is about $50 million less than was allocated in 2019-2020.
Since 2017, more than 800 agents have left the APD Villareal. Much of these numbers are attributed to funding cutbacks and contractual vagueness.
In March of this year, Austin was rated as the city with the 15th largest homicide problem in the US, according to a WalletHub study.
And Austin was the third city with the largest homicide outcome between 2021 and 2023.
The Texas city ranks just behind Philadelphia and Minneapolis for the largest increase in homicides in the past two years.