Summary4 min read

Podcast Summary: “New NPR Series: ‘We Keep Us Safe’” from The Indicator (Planet Money)

Release Date: July 19, 2026
Host: Darian Woods, The Indicator (NPR)
Featured Podcast: We Keep Us Safe (from NPR’s Embedded)
Topic: Investigating the unsolved shooting of a Black teenager during the Capitol Hill Organized Protest (CHOP) in Seattle, 2020.

Episode Overview

This special episode of The Indicator spotlights the launch of NPR Embedded’s new investigative series, We Keep Us Safe, which delves into the tragic and unresolved shooting of 16-year-old Antonio Mays Jr. at Seattle's CHOP protest in 2020. Through a compelling trailer, listeners get a preview of Embedded’s deep dive into the chaos, community, and questions surrounding the night a protest meant to protect Black life resulted in the loss of a Black teenager’s life.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The CHOP Experiment & Its Ideals

[00:46 - 01:21]

Background: After confrontations between anti-police-brutality protesters and police, law enforcement vacated their precinct in Seattle, and protesters took over eight city blocks.
Community Building: Protesters established a peaceful, utopian space called CHOP—complete with tents, free food, mutual aid, and ongoing speeches/music.
- Quote (Protester, 01:07): “It’s like a block party.”
- Quote (Protester, 01:14): “I want my world to change. I want my world to change. It evolved into this community.”
Promise and Peril: The space was briefly utopian but tinged with fear—protesters worried about outside attacks from far-right “Proud Boys.”

2. Rising Tensions & Security Concerns

[01:40 - 01:51]

Protesters organized their own security patrols, some carrying firearms, in response to fears of right-wing aggression.
- Quote (Protester, 01:51): “I’m not very familiar with firearms. AR50. That’s an AR15. AR50.”
  (Illustrates the inexperience and potential danger within the ad-hoc security.)

3. The Night of the Shooting

[01:54 - 02:21]

Incident: A Jeep entered the protest area, shots rang out, and 16-year-old Antonio Mays Jr. was killed by protester fire.
- Quote (Protester, 01:58): “Shots are fired. Shots are fired, y’all. Shots are fired.”
- Quote (Narrator, 02:00): “Protesters thought they were under attack and shot at the Jeep.”
Confusion and Aftermath:
- Quote (Will James, 02:08): “After the shooting ended, one of the Jeep’s passengers was dead. 16-year-old Antonio Mays Jr. That night, protesters saw him as a threat. But his dad… said his son was there for the cause.”
- Quote (Antonio’s Father, 02:25): “To be honest, if it meant that I’d have my son back, I wouldn’t teach my son Black history because I want to have him back right now. I said, man, to hell with Black history.”

4. The Unanswered Questions

[02:35 - 03:33]

Six years later, the killing remains unsolved, circulating questions of responsibility, justice, and the unintended consequences of “policing” without police.
- Quote (Will James, 02:38): “No one has been able to explain how this place built to protect Black life ended up killing a Black teenager.”
Investigative Deep Dive:
- Will James and Sydney Brownstone spent a year sifting through rumors, tracking down witnesses, and uncovering new evidence.
  - Quote (Eyewitness, 02:58): “He put in work for the streets. I guess that’s what they were saying. That’s why he got killed.”
  - Quote (Will James, 03:03): “Digging up new witnesses. Is someone chasing you?”
  - Quote (Eyewitness, 03:06): “Oh yeah, for sure.”
  - Quote (Will James, 03:07): “Like in a car chasing you?”
  - Quote (Eyewitness, 03:07): “Yes, like multiple cars.”
- Evidence Discovery:
  - Quote (Eyewitness, 03:13): “See this right here?”
  - Quote (Podcast Host, 03:14): “That’s a long gun out of the front seat.”
  - Quote (Eyewitness, 03:18): “Holy.”

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

“For a moment there, it was utopia.”
— Will James, [01:21]
“I want my world to change. It evolved into this community.”
— Protester, [01:14]
“No one has been able to explain how this place built to protect Black life ended up killing a Black teenager.”
— Will James, [02:38]
“To be honest, if it meant that I’d have my son back, I wouldn’t teach my son Black history… man, to hell with Black history.”
— Antonio Mays Jr.’s father, [02:25]
“Digging up new witnesses... uncovering never before seen evidence.”
— Will James & Sydney Brownstone, [03:03-03:13]

Key Timestamps for Important Segments

00:46 – The scene is set: police abandon precinct.
01:07 – Description of the CHOP community atmosphere.
01:40 – Emergence of self-appointed security, armed protesters.
01:54 – The fatal shooting incident begins.
02:08 – Aftermath and Antonio’s background.
02:35 – Six years later: lingering trauma and lack of closure.
02:51 – The investigative team’s quest for answers.
03:13 – Uncovering crucial new evidence.

Conclusion

We Keep Us Safe promises a rigorous, empathetic exploration of a protest community’s ideals, failures, and the tragedy that continues to haunt Seattle’s CHOP. The series aims to bring new evidence to light, question the boundaries of community protection, and offer a platform for voices still seeking answers.

Find ‘We Keep Us Safe’ via the Embedded podcast feed or at npr.org/embedded.

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Transcript31 lines

[00:01]
Narrator
This message comes from Capella University. That spark you feel, that's your drive for more. Capella University's flexpath learning format lets you earn your degree at your pace without putting life on pause. Learn more@capella.edu.
[00:15]
Podcast Host
hi indicated listeners. Darian woods here. Here to let you know about a new investigative series from NPR's embedded podcast. It digs into the unsolved killing of a black teenager at a Black Lives Matter protest. Who's responsible for the shooting? And how did an ideal protest occupation turn into a circle of silence? In their search for answers, the reporters track down key eyewitnesses and surface crucial evidence that's never been made public. Here's the trailer.
[00:46]
Narrator
Back in 2020, a remarkable experiment took place. After an intense standoff with anti police brutality protesters, police abandoned their own precinct.
[00:58]
Will James
Protesters stayed and started occupying about eight city blocks in the middle of Seattle. There's several hundred people being completely peaceful.
[01:07]
Eyewitness/Protester
It's like a block party.
[01:09]
Will James
They set up tents. There was free food, a mutual aid station, a stage for speeches and music.
[01:15]
Eyewitness/Protester
I want my world to change. I want my world to change. It evolved into this community.
[01:22]
Will James
They called it chop the Capitol Hill organized protest. A place with no police. It was their attempt to build a better world. For a moment there, it was utopia. But protesters feared an attack from right wing activists.
[01:41]
Eyewitness/Protester
Taking my group down around city hall to monitor the group of the proud boys.
[01:45]
Narrator
Some protesters appointed themselves CHOP security began walking around in tactical gear carrying guns.
[01:51]
Eyewitness/Protester
I'm not very familiar with firearms. AR50. That's an AR15. AR50.
[01:55]
Narrator
And then one night, a Jeep drove into the camp.
[01:58]
Eyewitness/Protester
Shots are fired. Shots are fired, y'. All. Shots are fired.
[02:01]
Narrator
Protesters thought they were under attack and shot at the Jeep.
[02:04]
Eyewitness/Protester
Move out the way.
[02:05]
Narrator
Oh, Jesus, Lord Jesus.
[02:09]
Will James
After the shooting ended, one of the Jeep's passengers was dead. 16 year old Antonio Mays Jr. That night, protesters saw him as a threat. But his dad, who taught him what it means to be black in America, said says his son was there for the cause.
[02:26]
Eyewitness/Protester
To be honest, if it meant that I'd have my son back, I wouldn't teach my son black history because I want to have him back right now. I said, man, they hell with black history.
[02:35]
Narrator
Six years later, the case remains unsolved.
[02:39]
Will James
And no one has been able to explain how this place built to protect black life ended up killing a black teenager. I'm Will James.
[02:51]
Narrator
And I'm Sydney Brownstone. For more than a year, we've been investigating what happened that night, sifting through rumors.
[02:58]
Eyewitness/Protester
He put in work for the streets. I guess that's what they were saying. That's why he got killed.
[03:03]
Will James
Digging up new witnesses. Is someone chasing you?
[03:06]
Eyewitness/Protester
Oh yeah, for sure.
[03:08]
Will James
Like in a car chasing you? Yes, like multiple cars and uncovering never before seen evidence.
[03:14]
Eyewitness/Protester
See this right here?
[03:15]
Podcast Host
That's a long gun out of the front seat.
[03:18]
Eyewitness/Protester
Holy.
[03:22]
Narrator
Listen to We Keep Us Safe, a new true crime series from NPR's embedded podcast, the Seattle Times and KUOW.
[03:34]
Podcast Host
Find Embedded wherever you get your podcasts or@npr.org embedded this message comes from Edward
[03:40]
Edward Jones Representative
Jones where they believe rich is about taking care of what gives your life meaning. That's why your financial advisor personalizes your plan to help you preserve your progress and create something that lasts. Let's find your rich Edward Jones Member, SIPC this message comes from Schwab. With the new Schwab Teen Investor account, teens can gain hands on investing experience and build positive money habits. It's an account co owned by you and your teen so you can monitor and engage with the account while your teen learns how to invest and manage money. Learn more@schwab.com.