Bride takes name of bridegroom killed by police

United States
December 9, 2006 11:14am CST
POSTED: 8:47 a.m. EST, December 9, 2006 Story Highlights• Nicole Paultre, Sean Bell met in high school; had two children together • She wanted change "so that my surname will be the same as my two children." • Officers who killed Bell on his wedding day on paid administrative leave • Paultre: Bell was carrying their wedding rings when he was killed Adjust font size: NEW YORK (AP) -- She lost her fiance in a hail of police gunfire on their wedding day, but a court has ruled that Nicole Paultre can still have his name. A civil court judge approved an application to legally change her name to Nicole Paultre Bell, in memory of the victim of the November 25 shooting, Sean Bell, her lawyer said Friday. The name change will become official next week, said the attorney, Sanford Rubenstein. Paultre, 22, and Bell, 23, met in high school and had two children together. In her name-change petition, she wrote: "In honor of the memory of my fiance, Sean Bell, the father of our two children who was killed by police on the morning of the day we were to be married, I request this name change so that my surname will be the same as my two children." Bell shot leaving bachelor party on wedding day Police killed Bell and wounded two of his friends inside their car after his bachelor party at a Queens strip club where officers were conducting an undercover operation. An undercover officer began following the victims to the car after overhearing one of them allegedly threaten to retrieve a gun in a dispute with another man. As the car started to pull away, it bumped the officer and then smashed into an unmarked police van, police said. The undercover officer has insisted, through his lawyer, that he believed one of the companions was pulling a gun when he opened fire on the car; no gun was found. Was there a fourth man who fled? He and other witnesses also have said there was a fourth man in or near the car who disappeared. But Bell's two wounded companions and others who claim to have witnessed the shooting have disputed the existence of a fourth man. The five officers who fired a total of 50 rounds have been put on paid administrative leave pending the outcome of a grand jury investigation by Queens prosecutors. The victims were all black; the officers were white, Hispanic and black. The name change was first reported on Essence magazine's Web site. In an interview with Essence.com, Paultre said Bell was carrying their wedding rings when he was killed. After they were returned to her, she put hers on and buried the other with him. Though Paultre initially labeled the police officers who shot her fiance as "murderers," she has since said she doesn't blame the entire police department for the shooting. "It's not the department that did this," she said. "It's those five police officers; it's them that need to be held accountable."
14 responses
• United States
10 Dec 06
I thought you could legally change your name to whatever you wanted to. I followed this story for a minute and I hope that the police involved will have to answer to this in front of a jury . The police are out of controlin this contry. I have only had one good experience when involved with police. I do my part in the community to turn police in for misconduct. I hope that more people will get involved and end police brutality
@wwfn2223 (109)
• United States
10 Dec 06
This is a sad story. I really feel for the family when i heard about this. It wasn't a easy thing for them to deal with and it not going to get that much better The five officers really needs to be dealt with. I think they need to find new jobs. The name change on the other hand is a good thing. She wanted to marry him. but since he was shot before that could happen it is only right for them to allow her to change her last name.
@magikrose (5429)
• United States
10 Dec 06
WOW that poor girl. Getting news that her fiance was shot and killed on her wedding day of all days. I commend her on not blaming the whole department and just those who did the shooting, most people would blame the entire department. I am happy to read that she was granted to still take on her fiances name she deserves it. What a tragity. Thos poore kids too. I am at a loss for words.
• United States
10 Dec 06
That is so sad. That poor women should get redemption. Those officers need tobe incarcerated and she should get some money out this so her children will always be well taken cared of. How coud cops be so stupid sometimes? Thats why I have never personally like cops.
@anup_cfa (899)
• India
10 Dec 06
ya its a very saddy one...
@diya82 (115)
• Germany
10 Dec 06
Thats really a tragic story...the news we receive nowadays are totally unbelievable....whatever is the truth the woman has lost her fiance and the children their father...and nothing can be done to compensate fo´r this loss
@sanell (2112)
• United States
10 Dec 06
I am not really sure what exactly happened with this shooting or how these guys were involved and why the police shot them, I think its a bit unfortunate and perhaps an investigation is warranted. However I do know that it is very sad that this woman, fiance, and mother lost her soon to be husband and that their daughters will never get to know their father
@Aali311 (6112)
• United States
10 Dec 06
This is very sad, I cannot imagine how devasted his widow and children are, I don't know what this world is coming to.
• United States
10 Dec 06
Oh. my. gosh.. That is SO sad!! I feel sooo sorry for her ENTIRE family.
• United States
10 Dec 06
50 rounds seems excessive. It doesn't say any return fire, so I don't understand why all the gunshed. I feel sorry for the widow, and kids. I hope they can move on, and are in my prayers. As far as the police officers, if truly everything was by the book? then I hope they can return to their lives as well.
@kawillow74 (1416)
• United States
10 Dec 06
WOW that would have to be a nigtmare I am glad the judge is letting her take his last names. She is also a very forgiving woman.
@emarie (5442)
• United States
10 Dec 06
wow, thats a really sad story...i wouldn't know how i could move on after something like that. well, she has all right to be mad at the officers, i hope they get the punishment they deserve...i know the job can be stressful, but sometimes, police use exessive force...i mean 50 bullets??? ain't that a little much...and why were they signled out and followed??
@rakinitin (685)
• Canada
10 Dec 06
There still seems to be so many unanswered questions with this case. I am however very pleased that the woman achieved her objective. It is the least that can happen for the family. Someone should start up some kind of fund for the family.
• India
10 Dec 06
OMG - OMG
OMG this is really horrible How can this happen???