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Detective Frank McCovey
and his narcotics team obtain a warrant to raid the house of an
elusive drug dealer based on a tip from his informant. The targeted
address is an African-American neighborhood known for its criminal
element. McCovey leads the raid, ignoring the signs that indicate
they may be at the wrong house. McCovey charges through the apparent
empty residence and mistakenly shoots an innocent eleven-year-old boy,
Jamal Griffin, who is hospitalized in critical condition. Reverend
Davis, hardened by the social injustices perpetrated on his community,
proclaims that this one will not be ignored. Andrew, an Internal
Affairs agent, suggests the truth behind the tragic event lies with
the accidental death of McCovey’s ten-year-old daughter’s by a black
man. McCovey refuses to discuss the matter, insisting that he
followed proper procedure. Meanwhile, Jamal’s mother begins her vigil
beside her unconscious son and is joined by the police department’s
community relations officer, Monica. McCovey’s suspension does not
appease Rev. Davis, who skillfully uses the media to further his own
agenda of social unrest, under the guise of protecting the Griffins’
wishes. McCovey wrestles with his own conscience as he reflects on
the circumstances of the shooting. News of the drug dealer’s
apprehension at a different address only pushes McCovey to blame his
informant. McCovey insists he correctly wrote down the relayed
information, but is unable to recover the piece of paper to aid his
case. His wife and his partners try to help him realize that he may
be pushing himself too hard and making mistakes, but McCovey refuses
to listen or apologize. Tess, a new parishioner to Rev. Davis’
church, warns the reverend that his call to arms may incite violence
against the police department. Rev. Davis refutes Tess’ claim until
proven wrong when a brick, bearing the words on Rev. Davis’ flyer, is
thrown through the McCovey’s window, injuring McCovey’s son. The next
day, Jan confronts her husband with the piece of paper indicating he
communicated the wrong information on the arrest warrant. Overwrought
with the guilt of shooting an innocent child, McCovey goes to his
daughter’s grave prepared to end his life where Andrew reveals that he
is an angel and was with his daughter when she died. Andrew helps
McCovey face his racial prejudice stemming from the accidental death
of his daughter by a black man. This subconscious racism is what made
McCovey less careful in an African-American neighborhood. Andrew
tells him that God loves him and forgives him, but now that he is
aware of his prejudice, he must conquer it. Rev. Davis’ parish
disapprovingly receives the contrite McCovey and Rev. Davis refuses to
listen to his apologies. Monica, Tess and Andrew reveal themselves to
convince Rev. Davis that he must forgive McCovey. McCovey
remorsefully apologizes to the congregation and Rev. Davis offers his
hand in peace. Jamal’s mother praises God as her son regains
consciousness.
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