Community Corner

Teaneck Remembers Phillip Pannell 31 Years After His Death

Pannell, a Black 16-year-old, was shot by a Teaneck police officer in 1990. A commemorative event is scheduled for Saturday.

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A long-time Teaneck resident, who said she graduated from Teaneck High School in 1967, holding signs for Phillip Pannell at a protest and march in the summer of 2020.
A long-time Teaneck resident, who said she graduated from Teaneck High School in 1967, holding signs for Phillip Pannell at a protest and march in the summer of 2020. (Montana Samuels/Patch)

TEANECK, NJ — The Pannell family will remember the life of Phillip Pannell 31 years after he was shot and killed by a Teaneck police officer.

A commemorative event is scheduled for Saturday in Teaneck, hosted by the Phillip Pannell foundation.

Pannell, a Black 16-year-old, was shot by white officer Gary Spath in 1990, which lead to Teaneck's 1990 riots. Spath was later acquitted of manslaughter.

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"Our Black Lives Matter started 31 years ago and it is still going on to this day," said Natasha Pannell, Phillip's sister, in a statement. "I tell my brother’s story because he never had the chance. This keeps happening enough is enough."

The 3rd annual commemoration event is scheduled for 1 p.m. Saturday at Bernard E. Brooks Park, 1608 Van Cortland Terrace.

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