Local News

Family, activists gather to protest death of man shot on I-440

The family of a man who died after Raleigh police shot and killed him on the beltline last month is not backing down on their fight for justice.

Posted Updated

By
Aaron Thomas
, WRAL reporter

The family of a man who died after Raleigh police shot and killed him on the beltline last month is not backing down on their fight for justice.

They stood alongside protestors in downtown Raleigh tonight in remembrance of Daniel Turcios.

Police have since released bodycam video showing the confrontation, including the moment he fell to the ground after being tased, before gunshots were fired.

More than 60 people started in Moore Square Park for more than an hour, marching the streets with signs demanding justice and accountability from the police department.

Protestors hit the streets to voice their frustrations with the deadly police involved shooting of Daniel Turcios.

An emotional day for his wife, Rosa Jerez.

Jerez spoke tonight and said she believes this is police brutality and there was excessive use of force. Jerez said her family feels ripped apart.

An officer tased Turcios after he can be seen refusing to follow orders to drop his knife after a car crash along Interstate I-440 on January 11.

Law enforcement experts say it appears Turcios pointed a knife at officers, which led to the shooting.

Professor Hunter Boeheme with NC Central University focuses heavily on the use of force, bodyworn cameras, and tasers.

"In this situation, this appeared to be a reasonable use of force," said Boehme. "Police are not just supposed to protect themselves but others and in this case, there was a threat to other people, not just themselves."

Family members and protestors say officers should have taken into account that Turcios didn’t speak English.

And a different approach would have prevented this situation. Many calling for accountability and transparency.

For now, a family left in pain.

"It’s unacceptable. I don’t except it and I will fight until the end so that no family will ever go through that hell that I’m going through," said Jerez.

Wake County District Attorney will ultimately decide whether any of the officers involved will face charges.

The SBI is investigating.

 Credits 

Copyright 2024 by Capitol Broadcasting Company. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.