DJ Henry

 

Danroy "DJ" Henry Jr. was a 20-year-old Pace University football player from Massachusetts who was shot and killed by a Pleasantville, New York police officer, Aaron Hess, on October 17, 2010. After being asked to move his car from a fire lane following a homecoming game, Hess shot Henry through the windshield, subsequently handcuffing him and leaving him on the ground to die, despite witness accounts contradicting the officer's claim that he was in danger.

Key details regarding the case

The Incident: Officers claimed Henry sped toward Hess, while witnesses stated the shooting was unprovoked and that Henry was driving away from a fight at a nearby bar.

Accountability & Settlement: Officer Hess was never charged criminally for the shooting and was cleared of wrongdoing. In 2016, the Henry family reached a $6 million settlement with the town of Pleasantville and Officer Hess.

Legacy & Activism: In response to his death, the family established The DJ Henry Dream Fund to provide youth with opportunities in sports, arts, and education. The case garnered renewed attention in 2020 following the Black Lives Matter movement, with celebrities and activists calling for a federal review.

Continuing Fight: The family has spent over a decade seeking justice and fighting to clear their son's name, with the town later issuing a public apology.

Note: There is also a current NCAA wrestler named D.J. Henry at The College of New Jersey (2025), but the historical case refers to Danroy "DJ" Henry.