• Urban League says his rap sheet does not justify his death

Bowen, 40, was killed in  Roxbury by gunfire from two Boston police officers. Authorities said he threatened the cops with a .40-caliber firearm after a traffic stop and scuffle, but witnesses said he appeared unarmed as he attempted to flee on foot. Police recovered the weapon next to Bowen's body on Brookford Street. Dorothy Bowen said she wants answers from police. Community leaders in Roxbury and Dorchester also want to hear from authorities. Bert Bowen had a 12-page criminal record dating back to 1981 with 53 arraignments, many for armed robbery while armed with a handgun and assault and battery with a dangerous weapon. Records indicate he also had three restraining orders taken out against him by a woman who had children by Bowen. The Urban League's Williams said Bowen's rap sheet does not justify his death, which remains under investigation by both Boston police and Suffolk District Attorney Daniel Conley's office. ``Police do a tough job, but we need to look at the circumstances surrounding the incident rather than his background,'' Williams said [more ] and  [more ]