ST. CLOUD, Fla. \u2014 A federal lawsuit is raising new questions about a police shooting in central Florida.<\/p>\n
The family of 20-year-old Deshay Turner says body camera footage shows that he was complying with the commands of a St. Cloud Police Department officer moments before he was shot and killed. <\/p>\n
His family says one moment in particular raises questions about why he was shot, arguing that Turner\u2019s hands were visible to officers before gunfire erupted. <\/p>\n
The shooting happened in December of last year.<\/p>\n
Police say Turner ran from officers following a car burglary investigation and pointed a gun at them before an officer opened fire.<\/p>\n
\u201cOfficers gave the subject numerous times to cooperate but the suspect did not comply,\u201d said SCPD Chief Doug Goerke. <\/p>\n
Turner\u2019s family says he did comply and they argue the video supports their claim.<\/p>\n
In the body camera video, officers can be heard repeatedly ordering Turner to show his hands.<\/p>\n
Moments before shots are fired, another officer appears to indicate turner\u2019s hands are visible.<\/p>\n
\u201cIf this officer is saying, \u2018I got hands,\u2019 he is not saying I see a gun so why did he shoot?\u201d asked Turner\u2019s cousin, Shonda Lilybud. <\/p>\n
The family\u2019s lawsuit argues Turner had his hands up and did not deserve to be shot.<\/p>\n
His mom, Tamika McKnight, never thought this would be her story.<\/p>\n
\u201cI have pictures of me out there for Trayvon Martin, but I never thought it would be my own son,\u201d she said. <\/p>\n
McKnight said the video doesn\u2019t match what police officers say happened in those final moments. <\/p>\n
\u201cIt was unjustified,\u201d she said. \u201cIt was unreasonable. There are many tactics they could\u2019ve done besides murdering my son like they were hunting a deer.\u201d<\/p>\n
McKnight also disputes how her son has been portrayed.<\/p>\n
While police described Turner as a convicted felon, a Local 10 News review of Florida court records did not uncover any adult felony convictions in his name.<\/p>\n
She describes her son as a loving young man who never would have pointed a gun at police.<\/p>\n
\u201cI didn\u2019t have to see any footage, my son has never been a violent person,\u201d said McKnight. \u201cHe is not a violent person.\u201d<\/p>\n
The family\u2019s attorney, Harold Thompson, argues the video shows Turner was complying with officers\u2019 commands when the shots were fired.<\/p>\n
\u201cThere\u2019s no disputing that his hands were up,\u201d said Thompson. \u201cHe had a bullet fragment pulled from both underarms.\u201d<\/p>\n
But in previously released statements, SCPD said Turner was armed and that officers acted within the law when they opened fire.<\/p>\n
The police chief also defended the officers\u2019 actions after the shooting, saying they immediately began life saving efforts.<\/p>\n
\ud83c\udfe0 News From Your Neighborhood<\/p>\n
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